It's a significant step forward for the latest regeneration scheme on the former Grand Cinema site.

Known as the ACE Centre, the £5m. building is being built next to Number One Market Street, which houses Pendle Council's walk-in Contact Centre.

It has been developed after residents identified a need for a new community facility in town to provide space for leisure and social pursuits.

It will include:
• A flexible performance space for theatre, cinema and conferences.
• Recording studios and rehearsal space.
• A dance and drama studio.
• Function suites for social and business events from weddings to formal dinners.
• Top-class bistro.
• Two floors of office and studio space for creative and media businesses, with views over the town and surrounding hills.
• Rooms for society meetings.

The new facility has been made possible following the creation of a partnership between Pendle Council and Barnfield Construction Ltd.
Known as Pendle Enterprise And Regeneration Limited (PEARL), the partnership will lead to more regeneration opportunities across Pendle in future.

Pendle Partnership, Pendle's Local Strategic Partnership, is investing almost £1.3m. from Single Regeneration Budget funds in the centre which is expected to open in the spring of 2009.