THREE shops are to get a major facelift as part of a £3.4million town centre heritage makeover with two more in the pipeline.

Grants totalling £100,000 have been awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to three properties in Padiham’s main streets towards repair and restoration works as part of the Padiham Townscape Heritage scheme.

Works have now commenced on Barber Bros and Blackwell’s Blinds at 19 and 21 Burnley Road and on Bertwistle’s Bakery in the nearby Central Buildings.

The facelift will incorporate heritage features including traditional shopfronts, timber windows and doors, along with stone repairs.

In addition Burnley Council has announced it has completed the purchase of of two long-term vacant properties within the Townscape Heritage scheme area, 33 and 35 Burnley Road.

Both have been empty and deteriorating for more than a decade.

The historic core of the town has been awarded £1.4m by the Heritage Lottery Fund and £2m has been allocated by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership for its long-term renewal by renovating vacant and neglected buildings

Cllr Gordon Birtwistle, Burnley Council’s growth boss, said: “This is another piece of good news about investment in improving Padiham. It has a lovely historic town feel with some stunning architecture and this work will build on that.

“There are some great specialist shops in Padiham and we are delighted to support property owners with this funding, which will not only enhance these properties, but also the wider town centre conservation area. It’s a very positive step towards Padiham’s brighter future.”