PENDLE MP Andrew Stephenson met with Sara Hilton, the head of Heritage Lottery Fund North West, on Tuesday to discuss Brierfield Mills.
The landmark Grade II listed former Smith and Nephew building, which the Coalition Government gave Pendle Council £1.5 million to buy in March last year, has been vacant since medical supplies firm BSN closed down its remaining operations at the site.
Mr Stephenson is working with Pendle Council looking at funding possibilities to bring the building back into use, including European Regional Development Funding and Heritage Lottery Funding.
Following the meeting with the Heritage Lottery Fund Mr Stephenson said: “Brierfield Mill has huge potential to be a key driver of economic regeneration in Pendle, so I wanted to meet with the Heritage Lottery Fund and set out just how vital this site is.
“In the past, the Heritage Lottery Fund has supported projects like the restoration of Marsden Park, improvements at Pendle Heritage Centre and repairs at Bancroft Mill in Barnoldswick.
“I was encouraged by what Sara Hilton had to say about possible funding that could be bid for. I will continue to work with Pendle Council and other stakeholders to ensure we bring this landmark building back into use.”
Last October, Mr Stephenson wrote to 150 households living close to Brierfield Mills asking what they would like to see happen to the historic building.