Levelling Up in Colne

It’s great that we’re now gearing up to work finally getting underway on Colne’s three theatres, which have been big winners from the Government’s £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund. Through the Fund, Colne has received £6.5 million which is being used to boost the town centre and local community through a package of projects aimed at helping our recovery from the pandemic, from redeveloping the Market and investing in upgrades to the bus network.

Central to the plan is nearly £3.5 million being invested to create a Colne Heritage Quarter, made up of the town’s three theatres – the Colne Little Theatre, Pendle Hippodrome and the Muni Theatre – which will be given the chance to undergo major renovations so that they can offer an enhanced program of events and other activities. This will see things like new social space, refreshment areas, box office facilities and making them all fully accessible, as well as the ‘behind the curtain’ kind of improvements, like making them more energy efficient, that are vital to the future of Colne’s cultural community.

And that’s not the end of the good news – the latest round of Levelling Up Fund awarded almost £50 million to East Lancashire to invest in schemes to develop greener, safer travel for people living in the region. For some, this will mean better walking and cycling routes and the promise of better bus services will be extremely welcome too. On that note, I was pleased the £2 bus fare cap on single journeys in England has been extended until the end of June, as I know how helpful so many people are finding this at this time.

“THE LATEST ROUND OF LEVELLING UP FUND AWARDED ALMOST £50 MILLION TO EAST LANCASHIRE”

Unlike the theatre project, this work hasn’t started yet but it means we have reasons to look forward with optimism for Colne and our corner of the county too. And I am continuing to push for Colne and Pendle in my talks with government Ministers, setting out how much more we can achieve with the right support.

I also hope Colne Life readers are looking ahead to the Coronation of King Charles III which is coming up in early May – not long now. Although we all got into the spirit recently for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, for most people including me, this will be our first experience of a Coronation.

It’s 60 years since the last one, which saw processions and parades up and down the country, followed by a Coronation Tour that came up here to Colne. I am hoping to see lots of street parties and other celebrations this time around. If readers want to let me know what they’re planning, I’d love to hear from them!

ColneLife Spring 23