Pavilions' last stand?
From the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, first published Thursday 16th May 1996.
PLANNERS are bracing themselves for a report recommending the demolition of three historic town centre buildings - despite efforts by a businessman to save and restore them.
The grade two listed pavilion buildings in Church Street, which stand empty and derelict, are on the agenda for discussion at a meeting of Blackburn Council's development services committee next month.
And planning officer Peter Kuit has told the Citizen: "There are some alternatives being proposed such as shops, restaurants, pubs and flats, but we favour demolition."
The proposal to bulldoze the Georgian-styled buildings has angered individuals such as Abbey Telecom owner Tony Raynor who claims his interest was not even registered.
He said: "I wrote to the council three years ago but I just could not communicate with anyone. For some strange reason the agents were in Manchester and they didn't understand. I wanted to expand my business and the pavilions would have been ideal.
"I'm very disappointed. The council have got some things right like the Boulevard and the shopping centre - but they've got the pavilions wrong." Moves to flatten the buildings have also met strong opposition from Blackburn Civic Society, whose members were angry that the local authority decided to spend a total of £60,000 - including £30,000 from the English Heritage Society - on other buildings in the borough.
Their buildings at risk sub-group chairman, Richard Prest, believes it is vital the pavilions are restored to their former glory.
He said: "We are very keen that the council maintains these buildings. The pavilions are a unique part of Blackburn's architectural history and they must be preserved for the benefit of future generations.
"I know there has been a lot of interest but I feel the council is refusing potential buyers so the buildings become too costly to renovate. It would be a travesty if they were demolished."
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