Chair appointed to lead £20m Rawtenstall regeneration

By Tim Aldred

14 May 2024

Iain Taylor

Rossendale Borough Council has appointed Iain Taylor to oversee the ten-year, £20m government investment in Rawtenstall.

Iain Taylor, managing director of Crawshawbooth-based IMT Consulting, will work with the council to create a town board for Rawtenstall and its immediate surrounding area, which he will chair.

The board will be made up of local community leaders, business owners, social enterprise representatives, councillors, council officers, the town’s MP and a representative of the police and crime commissioner.

The appointment follows the government selecting the town to benefit from its Long-Term Plan for Towns initiative. 

The endowment-style funding over 10 years is to be spent on issues that matter to local people under three themes of infrastructure, town centres and safety.

As a management consultant Iain advises clients on the financing and implementation of property development projects, economic partnership programmes and environmental innovation projects.

Previously, Iain led the consultancy input to the recently approved Liverpool City Region Life Science Investment Zone assembling and securing approval to £160m of new investment in the LCR Health and Life Science sector and the Liverpool City Region Freeport.

He was also part of the team that prepared the Atlantic Gateway concept and works to promote collaboration between public sector partners on key strategic initiatives.

Iain has supported the development of several major projects, including SINA Medical Glass, Glass Futures, MediaCityUK, Liverpool2 Container Port, Port Salford, City of Salford Stadium and several major road schemes and strategic green infrastructure projects.

He said: “I am delighted, honoured and excited for the future. The town’s board has the capability, responsibility and resources to set an exciting and ambitious plan for Rawtenstall and surrounding area and develop a fantastic programme of investments delivered over the long term to help make Rawtenstall – and Rossendale – an even better place to live, work and visit.

“I share the passion and affection many people have for Rawtenstall and the wider area. The sense of community is strong, vibrant and proud – the support, energy and time people give to help make the place a success is clear and abundant – whether it be the market, the Whitaker, the Civic Pride, the heritage railway, or the service in the cafes and restaurants. There is a fantastic community dedicated to making the place the best it can be."

Coun Alyson Barnes, leader of Rossendale Borough Council, said: “Our town board will drive the priorities for investment, take on responsibilities for making change, and steer the long-term vision for the Rawtenstall and the immediate surrounding area hand-in-hand with local people.

“A submission of the Long-Term Investment Plan must be in place by the beginning of November to release some of the funding.”

Iain added: “I’m very interested to hear from local people what their ideas are and I hope early in the planning phase we can open up to understand what their views are so that the plan is anchored in the values, ideas and ambitions of local people.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

University recognises adidas curator Gary Aspden

University recognises adidas curator

11 Jul 2025

2

Investment drives growth plan at CoolKit Coolkit Vans

Investment drives growth plan at CoolKit

11 Jul 2025

3

Story Homes submits plans for 140 new homes in Longton Story Homes plans

Story Homes submits plans for 140 new homes in Longton

11 Jul 2025

4

University of Lancashire climbs 14 places in student positivity survey Happy students at ULAN

University of Lancashire climbs 14 places in student positivity survey

10 Jul 2025

5

Forbes Solicitors achieves strong growth and promotes 15 Forbes Solicitors promotions

Forbes Solicitors achieves strong growth and promotes 15

10 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College University Courses Building, Burnley, BB12 0AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Lancashire Business Day 2025
241122lbvlancashiredaylhp0647web
Networking
27 Nov 2025

Lancashire Business Day 2025

Burnley FC , Burnley, BB10 4BX

12:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin