Burtons Chambers, the Art Deco building opposite Accrington Town Hall, has been handed back to Hyndburn Borough Council by contractor Krol Corlett, marking the completion of its conversion into a shared workspace and business hub.
The former department store has been transformed into dozens of offices, meeting areas and co-working spaces, with the building set to be operated by 2-Work. The redevelopment is aimed at creating a town centre hub that will support local economic growth, attract investment and bring more people into the heart of Accrington.
Part of wider regeneration programme
The project forms part of the Accrington Town Square regeneration programme, which received £20 million from the Government's Levelling Up Fund, topped up with £3.5 million from Hyndburn Borough Council and Lancashire County Council. Of this package, £10.5 million was spent on the latest phase covering Burtons Chambers and the Market Hall, carried out by Krol Corlett after winning the contract last year.
The work has significantly overrun the timetable outlined when the council submitted its Levelling Up bid in 2022, which envisaged the town centre projects being completed by March 2025. Council reports later identified securing vacant possession of Burtons Chambers as one of the biggest risks to delivery, with complications arising over the relocation of the building's final tenant after a proposed relocation property was sold at auction. The council eventually secured the freehold in February 2023 before work could progress.
Opening planned for January 2027
The refurbished building will provide around 140 workspaces, private offices, meeting rooms and co-working facilities aimed at Accrington's entrepreneurs, freelancers and growing businesses.
Councillor Clare Pritchard, Hyndburn Council's cabinet member for transformation and town centres, said: "We've transformed one of Accrington's most prominent historic buildings into a modern, high-quality workspace that will help support businesses, create opportunities and contribute to the continued regeneration of our town centre."
Although construction has finished, businesses will have to wait a little longer before moving in. Information published by operator 2-Work states Burtons Chambers is due to open on January 4, 2027, with guided tours available beforehand. The opening will coincide with the completion of other parts of the town centre regeneration scheme, including the long-awaited reopening of Accrington Market, on November 26.
