Construction to begin at Pioneer Place in the New Year

Burnley Borough Council and Maple Grove Developments have confirmed that construction will begin on the £21m Pioneer Place regeneration project in early 2022.

The town centre leisure development will cover 12,750 sq ft and feature the relocated Reel cinema, five retail and leisure units and a 125-space car park.

The scheme has been in development since 2018, with consent granted this summer, and it has now been announced that online fashion retailer boohoo has invested £300,000 in the project.

Coun Afrasiab Anwar, council leader said: "We are determined to forge forward with this exciting and ambitious project despite a number of challenges facing the construction industry, not just here in Burnley but across the whole world.

"Pioneer Place will bring new visitors to Burnley town centre during the day and evening time, deliver new jobs and support the growth of the UCLan campus. It will help diversify what the town centre has to offer to local residents and visitors alike and help boost the local economy.

"This is a major opportunity to expand and improve Burnley town centre and one that we have to take advantage of, and even the biggest social upheaval since the Second World War won’t stop us doing that."

John Lyttle, boohoo's CEO, added: "The boohoo group is delighted to help support this exciting project in Burnley, which will be a fantastic addition to the town. We opened our first international distribution centre in Burnley 11 years ago and are proud to be one of the largest private sector employers in the area and long-standing partner of the Burnley community.

"Our wonderful team has grown to over 2,000 people who will all benefit from this wonderful new leisure area, and we look forward to seeing it take shape."

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