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http://www.blackburncitizen.co.uk/n...ar.739161.0.glorious_3_5m_heritage_rescue.php
A £3.5MILLION renovation has begun at one of Blackburn's most important heritage buildings.
Number 33 King Street is to be converted to King's Court Enterprise Centre, which will be run by the East Lancashire Deaf Society.
The Grade II listed three-storey building will be restored to its former glory and have an extension at the back.
It will house 28 offices, conference facilities, four shops, and a cafe, and is due to be completed in May 2007.
At the beginning of the 19th Century the building housed the town's Assembly Room, and it was where the town celebrated victory in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
The town's first mayor was installed at the building in 1851.
In the latter half of the 20th Century, the interior was altered to house the Department of Social Services office.
However, it is believed the windows remain essentially unchanged.
Doug Alker, chairman of ELDS, said: "This project is not just about deaf people, but also shows that we care about the town centre."
He said £1.5million of the project was funded through grants from the North West Development Agency, the government's Single Regeneration Budget, the Heritage Lottery fund, and the European Regional Development Fund.
The rest is coming from ELDS and bank loans, but the finished building will only be worth about £2.25million.
"Because it's listed, it would have been cheaper to knock it down and start again.
"But it should be restored because it's an important part of our heritage," added Mr Alker.
The renovation is part of multi-million pound plans to regenerate what is known as the King Street corridor.
A Grade II listed Georgian terrace, 1 to 3 Princes Street, at the junction of King Street, is to be renovated into social housing by Space New Living Ltd.
A feasibility study has also been funded, by the council, to support the potential renovation of the exterior of Hornby House, 2 King Street, one of the most imposing Georgian townhouses in Blackburn.
Built in 1778, it has had many uses over the years but, other than the Cellar Bar, has stood largely vacant.
And the owners of the former Howarth's furniture store, 28 to 32 Darwen Street, have applied to the council for a grant to renovate the building, which lies within the Cathedral Conservation Area.
Coun Andy Kay, Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive member for regeneration said: "The realisation of the King Street regeneration projects will make a tremendous difference to the prospects for investment by local businesses in the area, and provide a greatly improved environment for residents and visitors to the town."
A £3.5MILLION renovation has begun at one of Blackburn's most important heritage buildings.
Number 33 King Street is to be converted to King's Court Enterprise Centre, which will be run by the East Lancashire Deaf Society.
The Grade II listed three-storey building will be restored to its former glory and have an extension at the back.
It will house 28 offices, conference facilities, four shops, and a cafe, and is due to be completed in May 2007.
At the beginning of the 19th Century the building housed the town's Assembly Room, and it was where the town celebrated victory in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
The town's first mayor was installed at the building in 1851.
In the latter half of the 20th Century, the interior was altered to house the Department of Social Services office.
However, it is believed the windows remain essentially unchanged.
Doug Alker, chairman of ELDS, said: "This project is not just about deaf people, but also shows that we care about the town centre."
He said £1.5million of the project was funded through grants from the North West Development Agency, the government's Single Regeneration Budget, the Heritage Lottery fund, and the European Regional Development Fund.
The rest is coming from ELDS and bank loans, but the finished building will only be worth about £2.25million.
"Because it's listed, it would have been cheaper to knock it down and start again.
"But it should be restored because it's an important part of our heritage," added Mr Alker.
The renovation is part of multi-million pound plans to regenerate what is known as the King Street corridor.
A Grade II listed Georgian terrace, 1 to 3 Princes Street, at the junction of King Street, is to be renovated into social housing by Space New Living Ltd.
A feasibility study has also been funded, by the council, to support the potential renovation of the exterior of Hornby House, 2 King Street, one of the most imposing Georgian townhouses in Blackburn.
Built in 1778, it has had many uses over the years but, other than the Cellar Bar, has stood largely vacant.
And the owners of the former Howarth's furniture store, 28 to 32 Darwen Street, have applied to the council for a grant to renovate the building, which lies within the Cathedral Conservation Area.
Coun Andy Kay, Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive member for regeneration said: "The realisation of the King Street regeneration projects will make a tremendous difference to the prospects for investment by local businesses in the area, and provide a greatly improved environment for residents and visitors to the town."