Burnley residents will have new opportunities to discover, celebrate and get involved in the town’s heritage following the official launch of High 5 for Heritage.
The five-year programme will combine investment in some of Burnley town centre’s historic buildings and spaces with a programme of cultural and community activity designed to bring the town’s history to life.
High 5 for Heritage represents around £10 million of investment over five years. This includes a £4.8 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, alongside contributions from Burnley Council and other sources. The programme focuses on Burnley’s Civic Quarter, including parts of Hargreaves Street, Hammerton Street and lower St James’s Street.
The programme will see improvements to important historic buildings and spaces, including repair and restoration work at Burnley Mechanics, as well as grant support for privately owned historic properties.
Working with cultural and heritage partners, High 5 for Heritage will explore the people, places and stories that have shaped Burnley and create opportunities for residents to experience the town’s heritage through events, creative activities and community projects.
The programme was officially launched at 123 St James’s Street in September, bringing together the organisations and partners who will help deliver it over the coming years.
Councillor Afrasiab Anwar MBE, Leader of Burnley Council and Heritage Champion, said:
“High 5 for Heritage is a major part of how we are bringing new investment into Burnley town centre.
“As a council, we’ve spent years working with partners to invest in Burnley’s heritage, drawing on funding from a range of sources. You can see what has been achieved at Towneley Hall, the National Trust’s Great Barn at Gawthorpe, and Victoria and Newtown Mill.
“By focusing on the Civic Quarter, we can protect the character of some of our most important streets and buildings while supporting their future use and creating a better environment around them.
“This circa £10 million programme means we can move from plans to work on the ground. That includes restoring Burnley Mechanics, supporting owners to repair and restore other historic buildings, and improving the spaces around them. The £4.8 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund is a major part of that investment, with the council and other partners contributing too. I want people to see progress in the Civic Quarter over the next five years.”
Councillor Lubna Khan, Burnley Council Executive Member for Development & Growth, said:
“Burnley has so many stories to tell and there is a huge amount of pride in the history of our town.
“High 5 for Heritage gives us the chance to look after the buildings and places that are part of that history, but just as importantly it gives local people the opportunity to be part of what happens next.
“We want people to discover more about the town they live in, share their own memories and stories and get involved in activities that celebrate what makes Burnley special.
“With Burnley 2027 also on the horizon, it is a fantastic opportunity to put our heritage, culture and communities at the heart of an exciting few years for the borough.”
Sarah McLeod, Committee member for England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, attended the launch commenting:
“It was wonderful to be in Burnley and hear more about this exciting scheme that will see the town’s Civic Quarter rejuvenated and several important historic buildings and spaces restored for the benefit of its communities.
“It is fantastic to think that this investment, made possible thanks to National Lottery players, will play a significant role in contributing towards the regeneration and wider townscape of Burnley as well as providing communities with plenty of opportunities to celebrate and discover more about their local heritage.”
High 5 for Heritage will work with partners including Mid Pennine Arts, Burnley Cultural Consortium and Lancashire Archives to develop its programme of heritage and cultural activity.
Further details of events, activities and opportunities to get involved will be announced as the programme develops.
Post expires at 12:33pm on Saturday January 2nd, 2027