Editing Accrington (section)

==Economy==
Historically, cotton and textile machinery were important industries in Accrington, with many mills and factories operating in the town during the 19th and early 20th centuries.<ref name="Baggs 1911">{{cite web|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol6/pp250-261|title=Accrington|work=A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 6|first=A. P.|last=Baggs|year=1911|access-date=22 March 2023}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The town was renowned for its production of cotton cloth, and several of its mills became famous for their high-quality fabrics, including the Victoria and Jubilee mills. However, like many other towns in Lancashire, the decline of the cotton industry in the mid-20th century led to a significant reduction in manufacturing activity in Accrington.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-37861819|title=Accrington and its ghosts of industry past|publisher=BBC News|first=Jonathan|last=Ali|date=1 November 2016|access-date=22 March 2023}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

One notable industrial product associated with Accrington is NORI bricks, a type of iron-hard engineering brick that was produced in nearby Huncoat. The NORI brickworks were established in the 1860s, and their products were widely used in the construction of mills, factories, and other industrial buildings throughout the north of England, as well as [[Blackpool Tower]] and the [[Empire State Building]].<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news |last1=Moss |first1=Chris |title=Where tourists seldom tread, part 3: five towns with hidden histories |url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2022/nov/10/where-tourists-seldom-tread-part-3-five-towns-with-hidden-histories |access-date=25 March 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=10 November 2022}}</ref> The brickworks closed in 2013 due to declining demand, but reopened in 2015 after being acquired by a local businessman.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/13540468.new-future-huncoat-brick-works/?ref=rss|title=New future for Huncoat brick works|work=Lancashire Telegraph|date=3 August 2015|access-date=22 March 2023}}</ref>

Today, the town's economy is more diverse, with a range of businesses and services operating in the area. Many of the old mill and factory buildings have been repurposed as offices, workshops, and other facilities, providing space for a variety of enterprises. The town also has a number of retail and commercial areas, including the Arndale Centre and the Peel Centre, which are home to a range of shops, restaurants, and other businesses.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/economic-profile/|title=Economic Profile|publisher=Hyndburn Borough Council|access-date=22 March 2023}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Accrington power station was a coal and refuse-fired electricity generating station that operated on Argyle Street adjacent to the gasworks between 1900 and 1958. The power station supplied electricity to Accrington, Haslingden, and the Altham and Clayton-le-Moors areas. The site is now a residential area.<ref name="Baggs 1911"/>

Accrington remains a centre of business and industry in the region,{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} with a rich history of manufacturing and innovation. The area benefits from its location close to major transport links, including the M65 motorway and the East Lancashire railway line, which connect Accrington to other parts of the county and beyond.<ref name="Accrington">{{cite web|url=https://www.visitlancashire.com/explore/accrington|title=Accrington|work=Visit Lancashire|access-date=22 March 2023}}</ref>

In recent years, the town has seen investment in new development projects, including the £60 million "Civic Quarter" regeneration scheme, which aims to revitalize the town center and create new jobs and opportunities for local people.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/16404022.60m-plans-accrington-civic-quarter-revealed/|title=£60m plans for Accrington Civic Quarter revealed|work=Lancashire Telegraph|date=24 July 2018|access-date=22 March 2023}}</ref> The project includes the construction of a new public square, a state-of-the-art leisure center, and new office and retail spaces, as well as the refurbishment of existing buildings.

In addition to its commercial and industrial activities, Accrington is also home to a number of cultural and recreational amenities. The town has a rich sporting heritage, with Accrington Stanley Football Club, founded in 1968, representing the town in the English Football League.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://accringtonstanley.co.uk/club/history/|title=History|work=Accrington Stanley Football Club|access-date=22 March 2023}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The town also has a strong tradition of brass band music, with several local bands competing at regional and national level.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk/news/local-news/accringtons-rich-tradition-brass-band-12211491|title=Accrington's rich tradition of brass band music|work=Accrington Observer|date=17 November 2016|access-date=22 March 2023}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Other cultural attractions in the town include the Haworth Art Gallery, which houses a collection of British art and decorative arts, and the Accrington Market Hall, which runs events and activities.

===Poverty, regeneration and investment===

Some areas of Accrington have high levels of [[Poverty in the United Kingdom|poverty]] and deprivation.<ref name="Gouk_2020">{{cite news |last1=Earnshaw |first1=Tom |last2=Gouk |first2=Annie |title=Child poverty devastating Lancs- and where it is having the worst impact |url=https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/child-poverty-devastating-lancashire-having-18142327 |access-date=25 March 2023 |work=LancsLive |date=26 April 2020}}</ref> In one area of the town in 2020, 77% of children were living in poverty.<ref name="Gouk_2020"/> Deprivation increased in Accrington from 2004 to 2010.<ref name="Hall 2013 p. 21">{{cite book | last=Hall | first=P. | title=Good Cities, Better Lives: How Europe Discovered the Lost Art of Urbanism | publisher=Taylor & Francis | series=Planning, History and Environment Series | year=2013 | isbn=978-1-134-54567-4 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8XK_AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA21 | access-date=25 March 2023 | page=21}}</ref> The Accrington Town Centre Investment Plan 2022-2032 states "Accrington has severe pockets of deprivation – particularly around employment, income and living environment - which has been getting worse during the last 20 years".<ref name="Inv_Plan_2022">{{cite web |title=Accrington Town Centre Investment Plan 2022-2032 |url=https://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Accrington-TCIP-70122.pdf |publisher=Hyndburn Borough Council |access-date=25 March 2023 |date=2022}}</ref>

The council has a regeneration plan in place, which will, according to the council, boost the local economy. The plan is to upgrade old shops and to build a bus station. A memorial for the [[Accrington Pals]] may be built outside the town hall.

The Hyndburn Borough Council plans to spend £10 million to refurbish the town centre, including:

*Revitalising the town square to attract visitors.<ref name="Inv_Plan_2022"/>
*Building a new bus station. Plans for the new bus station were put forward in January 2013 and approved in October 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk/news/local-news/new-accrington-bus-station-open-1293994|title=New Accrington bus station open by 2015|first=Jon|last=Macpherson|year=2013|access-date=24 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk/news/local-news/plans-approved-controversial-accrington-bus-7947716|title=Plans approved for controversial Accrington bus station scheme|first=Beth|last=Abbit|year=2014|access-date=24 August 2016}}</ref> The bus station was completed during and officially opened on 11 July 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk/news/gallery-new-accrington-bus-station-11598056|title=GALLERY: New Accrington bus station officially opens|first=Jon|last=Macpherson|year=2016|access-date=24 August 2016}}</ref> The new station was criticised by traders as the old station was closer and easier to get to.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk/news/traders-fears-new-accrington-bus-6252001|title=Traders fears new Accrington bus station could put them out of business|first=Beth|last=Abbit|year=2013|access-date=24 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk/news/angry-market-hall-traders-petition-11701657|title=Angry Market Hall traders petition for bus stop after 'loss of trade'|first=Jon|last=Macpherson|year=2016|access-date=24 August 2016}}</ref>

Half of Blackburn Road is being refurbished and is now being made into a more attractive shopping street, upgrading shops, adding more trees, and repaving the pavements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/9462632.Major_work_to_enhance_Blackburn_town_centre_streets_underway/|title=Major work to enhance Blackburn town centre streets underway|website=Lancashire Telegraph|access-date=2016-12-01}}</ref>

As of 2014, two new phases were being built: the first one called the Acorn Park, where new houses were being built with balconies and greener spaces, and Project Phoenix, which will also include new housing.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Macpherson |first1=John |title=Accrington 100 homes plan gets go-ahead |url=https://www.lancs.live/news/accrington-100-homes-plan-gets-6521594 |access-date=3 October 2020 |work=LancsLive}}</ref>