Kierby hotel sold

[bobinho]

I’d be interested to know which buildings have been given a massive improvement by recent works as mentioned earlier in the thread.

Please don’t say “Newtown Mill” as this was hardly the eyesore the Kierby and linked buildings are.

[Claretnick]

I’d be interested to know which buildings have been given a massive improvement by recent works as mentioned earlier in the thread.

Please don’t say “Newtown Mill” as this was hardly the eyesore the Kierby and linked buildings are.

Not sure if these buildings are the ones referred to earlier in the thread. I travel through Burnley town centre quite a lot.
The Cross Keys had been clad in scaffolding for a few months, the roof was renewed and now the scaffolding is down can see that the stonework has been cleaned (not sand blasted).
Further along St James Street the old building opposite M&S ( Used to be Woolworths) has been clad with scaffolding for a few months but don't know what is being done.
Likewise the building behind the Keirby ( ex Zanzibar) is also clad with scaffolding, roof renewed. Think the council planning has plans for apartments.

[Rowls]

Not sure if these buildings are the ones referred to earlier in the thread. I travel through Burnley town centre quite a lot.
The Cross Keys had been clad in scaffolding for a few months, the roof was renewed and now the scaffolding is down can see that the stonework has been cleaned (not sand blasted).
Further along St James Street the old building opposite M&S ( Used to be Woolworths) has been clad with scaffolding for a few months but don't know what is being done.
Likewise the building behind the Keirby ( ex Zanzibar) is also clad with scaffolding, roof renewed. Think the council planning has plans for apartments.

Also a few of the shop fronts up from the Cross Keys.

[bobinho]

The cross keys was a lovely building before the scaffolding went up, as is the old Woolworths building. No one will EVER say that about the kierby and the adjoining buildings. It’s a bloody monstrosity.

[DanH90]

Cross Keys looks a lot better now the sandblasting etc has been done. It did open up as a cafe bar called Winter Lotus but I’m not sure if that is still open?

If there are no plans for the Keirby it just needs to go, it’s an absolute blight on the town.

[BurnleyFC]

Cross Keys looks a lot better now the sandblasting etc has been done. It did open up as a cafe bar called Winter Lotus but I’m not sure if that is still open?

If there are no plans for the Keirby it just needs to go, it’s an absolute blight on the town.

It’s open but has moved premises.

Basically the owner of the Cross Keys building is a **** and revoked their tenancy after they’d paid to have the inside done up out of their own pockets.

He’s known for that type of thing.

[aggi]

This is probably more relevant to the Keirby.
https://haringeyciviccentre.commonplace ... step=step1
Same kind of era and pretty ugly at the moment but grand plans for the refurb which started recently.

[Dressinggown]

[Whitgord]

Nothing that a bulldozer couldn’t solve.

[helmclaret]

Would make a good album cover that.

[Big Vinny K]

There’s a very interesting reason why the building cannot be bulldozed.

But the new owners have pretty exciting plans for the building anyway. Going to take a while before the work can start and by all accounts the inside of the building is in a pretty shocking state.

[NewClaret]

With some very high quality cladding, it could look good again, in my opinion. A lick of paint and some new windows won’t cut it though, I’m afraid.

I imagine it’d be cheaper to demolish and build new than to do a full refurbishment internally and externally though, so there must be a very good reason they’re not.

[CharlieinNewMexico]

Would make a good album cover that.

Out now on K-tel!
John Foxx sings the Works of JG Ballard

[BurnleyHeff]

Cross Keys looks a lot better now the sandblasting etc has been done. It did open up as a cafe bar called Winter Lotus but I’m not sure if that is still open?

If there are no plans for the Keirby it just needs to go, it’s an absolute blight on the town.

The Winter Lotus was kicked out at very short notice as I believe the landlord sold up. Having been shut for a short period have now moved into behind the barbers in the old garden bar

[ClaretCliff]

I’ve been told it’s due to a tree growing inside

Is it going to be the next Eden Project??

[mybloodisclaret]

There’s a very interesting reason why the building cannot be bulldozed.

But the new owners have pretty exciting plans for the building anyway. Going to take a while before the work can start and by all accounts the inside of the building is in a pretty shocking state.

Are you able to say what the very interesting reason is? Is it because of all of the phone masts on top?

[ŽižkovClaret]

Are you able to say what the very interesting reason is? Is it because of all of the phone masts on top?

You would imagine they could have an alternative site on top of St Peter's Centre if need be?

[ArmchairDetective]

You would imagine they could have an alternative site on top of St Peter's Centre if need be?

Reading this thread from the newest post backwards as I often do for some reason, I thought you were suggesting on top of St Peter's Centre as an alternative site for the new Kierby Hotel

[ŽižkovClaret]

Reading this thread from the newest post backwards as I often do for some reason, I thought you were suggesting on top of St Peter's Centre as an alternative site for the new Kierby Hotel

Haha maybe if we were in Japan or India with their space issues lol

[Clovius Boofus]

What are these 'exciting plans'? I'm surprised they aren't shouting about them from the rooftops, because this is what usually happens when there are plans to redevelop buildings located on prominent gateway sites.

[NewClaret]

Are you able to say what the very interesting reason is? Is it because of all of the phone masts on top?

I might be misremembering this but without reading the full thread again, I think BVK may have said something about the ownership of the shops or part of the buildings being separate.

[NewClaret]

What are these 'exciting plans'? I'm surprised they aren't shouting about them from the rooftops, because this is what usually happens when there are plans to redevelop buildings located on prominent gateway sites.

I don’t know, but knowing who the owner is, I would expect BVK is correct that they’ll be both exciting and done to a good standard.

He originally described the plans as:

“I envisage building a 200-bedroom hotel, an amazing five-star luxury spa and wellness centre, an outstanding restaurant with a panoramic view, an aquatic visitor centre and supported by multi-level parking.”

The aquatic centre is a pretty novel idea. I imagine he means some kind of sea life centre concept!! Maybe those things and the MSCP have been scaled back now the building can’t be demolished.

[Clovius Boofus]

I'm surprised there's been no press releases for over 12 months. By the way, I'm not being overly critical, and I wish them well, but it would be good to know what's going on.

[NewClaret]

Yes, it is a bit odd. Maybe they can’t say much if there are legal issues, feasibility studies, planning to draw up and funding to secure. Hopefully we get some good news soon.

It’s not just this: Burnley got £20m levelling up funding (albeit over ten years - thanks so much!) by the previous government and we’ve not heard diddly squat over how they plan to use that.

[bodge]

An aquatic visitor centre is just what the town needs, everyone knows the strong affinity Burnley people have for the sea, evidenced by the high percentage of speedboat owners the area boasts.

Fair do's to the new owners though, Keirby has needed sorting for some considerable.

[ecc]

Yes, it is a bit odd. Maybe they can’t say much if there are legal issues, feasibility studies, planning to draw up and funding to secure. Hopefully we get some good news soon.

It’s not just this: Burnley got £20m levelling up funding (albeit over ten years - thanks so much!) by the previous government and we’ve not heard diddly squat over how they plan to use that.

AFAIK there is no "Levelling Up" Minister now. In which case, will the budget allocated to that "scheme" still actually be forwarded to the designated authorities? (It's a genuine question not a wind-up as Burnley and Pendle could do with any monies going).

[aggi]

An aquatic visitor centre is just what the town needs, everyone knows the strong affinity Burnley people have for the sea, evidenced by the high percentage of speedboat owners the area boasts.

Fair do's to the new owners though, Keirby has needed sorting for some considerable.

A lot of Bullseye winners.

[Big Vinny K]

Are you able to say what the very interesting reason is? Is it because of all of the phone masts on top?

I can’t sorry - other than the person who told me would know this.
I’m not sure how you could find out what this is without somebody telling you either as it would not be in the public domain.

It’s been in place for a number of decades too.

[Big Vinny K]

I might be misremembering this but without reading the full thread again, I think BVK may have said something about the ownership of the shops or part of the buildings being separate.

Not me. I don’t know who owns what round there.
I am old enough though to have been a regular visitor to the Swiss Corner !!

[NewClaret]

AFAIK there is no "Levelling Up" Minister now. In which case, will the budget allocated to that "scheme" still actually be forwarded to the designated authorities? (It's a genuine question not a wind-up as Burnley and Pendle could do with any monies going).

No expert at all, but very vague knowledge is that the monies were reconfirmed by the new government and they also derestricted potential uses of the funding, so I think that blows previous plans up in the air. Who owns it now from a ministerial perspective I have no idea.

So we probably have to wait another 3 years to find out what new people want to use it for, then there will be another GE without a single spade in the ground and then it’ll get taken off us.

If I allocated funding I would set a date that it must be spent in year or removed so that it actually had to get spent.

Bit OT here though, sorry!

[NewClaret]

Not me. I don’t know who owns what round there.
I am old enough though to have been a regular visitor to the Swiss Corner !!

My apologies, cba reading through the thread but I thought you’d said something to that effect previously.

[dsr]

I can’t sorry - other than the person who told me would know this.
I’m not sure how you could find out what this is without somebody telling you either as it would not be in the public domain.

It’s been in place for a number of decades too.

"He who wishes to keep a secret, must not let it be known that there is a secret to be kept."

I'm, sure this secret has been told to other people as well. No-one spills a secret to just one person over several decades!

If this other person dies, and no-one else knows the secret, then presumably the condition lapses.

[ecc]

No expert at all, but very vague knowledge is that the monies were reconfirmed by the new government and they also derestricted potential uses of the funding, so I think that blows previous plans up in the air. Who owns it now from a ministerial perspective I have no idea.

So we probably have to wait another 3 years to find out what new people want to use it for, then there will be another GE without a single spade in the ground and then it’ll get taken off us.

If I allocated funding I would set a date that it must be spent in year or removed so that it actually had to get spent.

Bit OT here though, sorry!

Thanks, NewClaret.

The cynic in me thinks we can file "Levelling Up" along with Northern Powerhouse and HS3.

[NewClaret]

Thanks, NewClaret.

The cynic in me thinks we can file "Levelling Up" along with Northern Powerhouse and HS3.

The funding is definitely going ahead, it was only reconfirmed earlier this year:

https://www.lep.co.uk/news/politics/the ... it-5017735

Although the cynic in me would feel it may now be at risk given the probable cuts or tax rises coming our way.

You’re right that “Levelling Up” as a term has been binned off. New government wanted to break ties with a Boris-ism. It’s now called a Town Fund or something. I don’t care what they call it as long as it gets spent.

[Alanstevensonsgloves]

Last time Burnley had an 'aquatic centre' was when the Longside bogs overflowed...

[ClaretTony]

A lot of Bullseye winners.

Exactly what came into my mind too

[Big Vinny K]

"He who wishes to keep a secret, must not let it be known that there is a secret to be kept."

I'm, sure this secret has been told to other people as well. No-one spills a secret to just one person over several decades!

If this other person dies, and no-one else knows the secret, then presumably the condition lapses.

Who said it was a secret ?!!

[Leon_C]

The funding is definitely going ahead, it was only reconfirmed earlier this year:

https://www.lep.co.uk/news/politics/the ... it-5017735

Although the cynic in me would feel it may now be at risk given the probable cuts or tax rises coming our way.

You’re right that “Levelling Up” as a term has been binned off. New government wanted to break ties with a Boris-ism. It’s now called a Town Fund or something. I don’t care what they call it as long as it gets spent.

The article refers to a specific government fund called the Plan for Neighbourhoods. It was, under the previous government, called The Long Term Plan for Towns. It's a £20m pot, delivered over 20 years for 75 towns in England and Wales. That was paused after the 2024 GE, but is being rebooted right now.

It is designed for specific interventions, along a number of key areas - administered (here) by Burnley Council, but overseen by a local board, consisting of elected and non-elected representatives - the council, Lancs constabulary, local education bodies, SMEs etc.

So, indeed it is a part of what might have previously been called 'levelling-up', but in itself, only a small part of that bigger puzzle.

[ŽižkovClaret]

I can’t sorry - other than the person who told me would know this.
I’m not sure how you could find out what this is without somebody telling you either as it would not be in the public domain.

It’s been in place for a number of decades too.

I'd suspect some sort of telephone exchange or other such cabling in tunnels underneath which may preclude traditional demolition methods.....

That said i wouldn't be shocked should it suffer the same fate as the Hotspur Press.....

[ŽižkovClaret]

The old CIS Tower in Manchester, for example has a good sized nuclear bunker underneath it as part of the extensive foundations. Something on a smaller scale but similar solidity could i guess cause issues if it were under some sort of preservation order.

[Big Vinny K]

The old CIS Tower in Manchester, for example has a good sized nuclear bunker underneath it as part of the extensive foundations. Something on a smaller scale but similar solidity could i guess cause issues if it were under some sort of preservation order.

I worked in the CIS Tower for 6 or 7 years and I never knew that !! I was on the 23rd floor though most of the time

[ArmchairDetective]

I can’t sorry - other than the person who told me would know this.
I’m not sure how you could find out what this is without somebody telling you either as it would not be in the public domain.

It’s been in place for a number of decades too.

"He who wishes to keep a secret, must not let it be known that there is a secret to be kept."

I'm, sure this secret has been told to other people as well. No-one spills a secret to just one person over several decades!

If this other person dies, and no-one else knows the secret, then presumably the condition lapses.

I'd suspect some sort of telephone exchange or other such cabling in tunnels underneath which may preclude traditional demolition methods.....

That said i wouldn't be shocked should it suffer the same fate as the Hotspur Press.....

The old CIS Tower in Manchester, for example has a good sized nuclear bunker underneath it as part of the extensive foundations. Something on a smaller scale but similar solidity could i guess cause issues if it were under some sort of preservation order.

This is starting to sound like the basis of a future Netflix conspiracy series.

Someone feel free to give it a title.

[NewClaret]

The article refers to a specific government fund called the Plan for Neighbourhoods. It was, under the previous government, called The Long Term Plan for Towns. It's a £20m pot, delivered over 20 years for 75 towns in England and Wales. That was paused after the 2024 GE, but is being rebooted right now.

It is designed for specific interventions, along a number of key areas - administered (here) by Burnley Council, but overseen by a local board, consisting of elected and non-elected representatives - the council, Lancs constabulary, local education bodies, SMEs etc.

So, indeed it is a part of what might have previously been called 'levelling-up', but in itself, only a small part of that bigger puzzle.

Thanks Leon. I understood it to be £20m over 10 years, about £2m per year. Is that incorrect? £1m a year over 20 years would barely touch the sides.

Out of interest, what do you mean by: “only a small part of that bigger puzzle”. Is there something more significant at play?

[Goliath]

Isn't the building opposite an example of what can be done to spruce it up a bit without a huge budget. Those offices look pretty good now.
With more to soend I imagine they could do a lot with the Keirby without having to knock it down

[Rowls]

This is starting to sound like the basis of a future Netflix conspiracy series.

Someone feel free to give it a title.

Nah, podcast at best.

"Maid in Burnley: Secrets I Saw in the Kierby Hotel"

[Rowls]

Or maybe...

"Kierby Hotel: What the Night Porter Saw"

[Big Vinny K]

This is starting to sound like the basis of a future Netflix conspiracy series.

Someone feel free to give it a title.

There’s only 3 people who know what happened on that fateful night back in the eighties.

The Night Porter
AlargeClaret
Mrs Strumpet

Pretty sure that’s got nothing to do with why there needs to be a building there though !!

[Leon_C]

Thanks Leon. I understood it to be £20m over 10 years, about £2m per year. Is that incorrect? £1m a year over 20 years would barely touch the sides.

Out of interest, what do you mean by: “only a small part of that bigger puzzle”. Is there something more significant at play?

My mistake - yes 10 years, not 20.
I wasn't implying anything secretive - just that the concept of levelling up was the broader investment in the regions. This scheme isn't the entire replacement (well, at least we hope not!!)

[CharlieinNewMexico]

An aquatic visitor centre is just what the town needs, everyone knows the strong affinity Burnley people have for the sea, evidenced by the high percentage of speedboat owners the area boasts.

Fair do's to the new owners though, Keirby has needed sorting for some considerable.

We have an Aquatic Centre in our town.
It’s a bit like a fancy Nelson baths.

[ŽižkovClaret]

I worked in the CIS Tower for 6 or 7 years and I never knew that !! I was on the 23rd floor though most of the time

Yeah some interesting stuff in the bowels of the tower. Four big brick ovens as boilers for the heating, carpenter, french polisher, electrician's workshops all with their own apprentice station..... tunnels linking most of the other co-op buildings in the complex, including one of the old ballrooms (Used to be 3, the luftwaffe took one out, one became a server room for the tower, and the co-op New Century Hall is now a dolled up gig venue.

Most tunnels and links are probably bricked up now as the buildings get spun off for different uses.