First Pride in Place funding approved as Burnley’s £20m regeneration plan moves into delivery

Burnley has been awarded £20 million through the Government’s Pride in Place programme to support investment in the town over the next decade – and the first funding awards have now been approved.

The first two awards will support the Burnley Town Centre BID Warden initiative and the development of Burnley 2027 Year of Culture, investing in priorities ranging from safety and security in the town centre to culture, community, opportunity and the long-term regeneration of Burnley.

Pride in Place funding for the Burnley Town Centre BID Warden initiative will support a visible and approachable presence in the town centre, providing reassurance to businesses, residents and visitors.

Delivered by Groundwork CLM on behalf of Burnley BID, the Town Wardens help deter anti-social behaviour, respond when assistance is required and provide directions and practical advice to visitors and shoppers.

The wardens are first-aid trained, Action Counters Terrorism qualified and connected through Burnley’s radio network, helping provide rapid communication and coordinated responses when incidents occur.

The initiative directly supports priorities around safety and security, high street regeneration and creating welcoming places with busy streets.

The second award will support the development of Burnley 2027 Year of Culture, an ambitious year-long cultural programme celebrating creativity, community and opportunity across the borough.

Delivered by Burnley Leisure & Culture, the programme is being developed with and for the people of Burnley and will build towards a major programme of activity during 2027.

Current plans include music and food festivals, esports and digital events, photography, exhibitions and community-led performances.

Alongside bringing events and activities to communities across the borough, Burnley 2027 aims to create opportunities for young people, showcase and support local talent and establish a lasting cultural legacy.

The programme supports a number of Pride in Place priorities, including community cohesion, education and opportunity, regeneration, health and wellbeing, and strengthening people’s sense of belonging and pride in the place they call home.

Leon Calverley, Chair of the Burnley Town Board, said: “I'm delighted that Burnley Town Board has approved its first two grants through the Pride in Place programme.”

“The BID Wardens project, delivered by Groundwork CLM on behalf of Burnley BID, directly addresses what residents told us matters most - safety and security in our town centre. The Cultural Placemaking project, delivered by Burnley Leisure & Culture, invests in the heritage and spaces that define what Burnley is - and will create a range of events and activities for people to enjoy.”

“Both organisations have proven track records and deep local knowledge. This is an important first step. More projects are in the pipeline as we look to invest in our town, and I'm looking forward to seeing the programme take shape.”

The funding will help deliver Burnley’s ten-year regeneration plan, known locally as “Burnley – Our Town, Our Plan”, the plan itself, was shaped by the priorities that residents, businesses, community groups and local partners told us mattered most to them and is built around three strategic objectives: creating thriving places, building stronger communities and enabling local people to take back control. 

Together, the projects demonstrate how Pride in Place investment can respond to immediate local priorities while also supporting Burnley’s longer-term ambitions.

The Pride in Place programme is overseen by the Burnley Town Board, which brings together representatives from Burnley’s community, voluntary, education, business, cultural, arts and leisure sectors, alongside the town’s MP.

Further projects are expected to come forward as Burnley continues to deliver its ten-year plan and invest the £20 million Pride in Place allocation in priorities identified for the town.