A NEW town centre website has been launched in Barnoldswick in a bid to get residents and visitors to support businesses and make the most of being in Pendle.

The www.cometobarnoldswick.co.uk website, described as an 'online virtual high street', lists places to eat and drink, community venues, and places to visit.

It includes details of what is going on at the Rainhall Centre and Barnoldswick Library, as well as the services provided by the town council. Shops and businesses not already listed can sign up for free, while there is also a section on places to visit nearby, such as Bancroft Mill, one of the north's last remaining operational mills, and Thornton Hall Country Park, in nearby Thornton-in-Craven.

It also lists interesting walks in the area, such as the 'stream and steam trail', and an easy walk to the lower slopes of Weets Hill, from the 'let's walk and talk group' for glorious views over Barnoldswick.

For cyclists, there is the map of the Barnoldswick section of the Pendle and Ribble Valley section of the 2015 The Tour of Britain cycle race.

Councillor Nadeem Ahmed, leader of Pendle Borough Council said “We’re working hard to support our town centres in an area which has been among the hardest hit in the country, during the pandemic.

“Thanks to money from the Government’s Welcome Back Fund to help us build back better from the pandemic, we have been able to develop these new digital hubs for our towns."

The Government support, which comes from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is designed to support the safe return to high streets.

The council’s tourism and economic development officer, Mike Williams said in addition to the Banoldswick website, similar sites had been created for Nelson and Brierfield.

He said: “We hope that any shops and businesses that are not on their town’s website will get in touch with me to get this free promotion and be a big part of what their town offers.

“There are currently 67 business and community listings and we hope to rapidly build on this great start.We will be working with town councils to help boost these new websites and to develop plans for them to be taken over and run locally by communities."

Businesses not already included are being urged to fill in the online form on their relevant town website or email Mike Williams via tourism@pendle.gov.uk or give him a call on 01282 661963.