Art and Heritage Preservation in Pendle Rise
Hoardings featuring art inspired by Pendle high school pupils have been put up around a town shopping centre ahead of its demolition as part of a major regeneration scheme. The initiative highlights the importance of preserving local history while embracing future development.
A mosaic and an Admiral Nelson sculpture inside the building are also being saved for future use, following a campaign by local residents to preserve them. These artefacts represent significant pieces of the town’s heritage and will be incorporated into the new Pendle Rise development.
A New Look for the Shopping Centre
The Pendle Rise centre in Nelson now has hoardings around it featuring imagery created by local secondary school students and artist Emmeline North. Workers have recently fitted graphics around the site, showing angular and curving patterns inspired by buildings, architectural drawings, the Pendle hills and surrounding countryside.
The mall was originally built in the 1960s as an Arndale Centre, but is now being demolished as part of the £25m Nelson Town Deal. However, its floor mosaic depicting a compass and the Admiral Nelson sculpture are set to be retained.
Community Efforts to Preserve Local History
Residents asked for the features to be saved and reused in the new Pendle Rise development to celebrate the town’s history. Last autumn, Nelson resident Mark Cook presented a petition to Pendle Council calling for the mosaic to be preserved, recalling playing around it as a child.
Speaking ahead of the mall’s demolition, Coun Asjad Mahmood, the council’s deputy leader and a Nelson Town Deal board member, said: “In the 1960s, it was customary for new Arndale developments to incorporate an item of local interest. For Pendle Rise, it was decided to feature the town’s connection with Lord Nelson — a bust of the man himself and a compass depicting his nautical career.
“Many residents have fond memories of running around the compass as children and, given its association with Admiral Nelson, it is a very relevant item to keep and conserve. A Lord Nelson bust is positioned above where the former Boots chemist shop was located. We appreciate they are both pieces of Nelson’s history and agree with residents that they should be preserved.”
The Significance of the Mosaic and Sculpture
Stephen Barnes, chairman of the Nelson Town Deal, added: “It’s imperative we save these artefacts depicting Nelson’s history and incorporate them into the town’s future. It’s great that residents feel the same and still want them on display for years to come.”
The town name of Nelson is relatively modern and is understood to have emerged during the Victorian era, linked to the opening of the railway station — now Nelson station — near the Lord Nelson Inn. Marsden is the older name for the area, which also included Brierfield.
Progress on Demolition and Relocation
In recent weeks, workers have carried out a ‘soft strip-out’ at Pendle Rise, including the removal of the compass and bust. Main demolition work is due to begin in mid-April. The remaining shops that were previously based inside the centre have either been relocated over the winter or offered alternative arrangements.
Conclusion
The preservation of the mosaic and Admiral Nelson sculpture exemplifies the community’s commitment to maintaining its historical identity while undergoing significant changes. These efforts ensure that the legacy of Pendle Rise remains visible and celebrated as the town moves forward.
