At Lea Hough, we’re proud of our Lancashire roots and all the county has to offer. From great places to live to local attractions, countryside and places to eat and drink, our Love Lancashire series shares some of our team’s favourite things about the areas they know best. First up, Paul Dignan tells us what he enjoys about living in Great Harwood.
Name: Paul Dignan
Position at Lea Hough: Partner, Chartered Building Surveyor
I’m originally from: Great Harwood, Lancashire
I live in: Great Harwood
I chose to live there because: My family and close friends have always lived in and around Great Harwood, so I’ve never wanted to live anywhere else!
How long have you lived there?: All of my life, except for three great years in Sheffield, whilst I was at University in the 1990’s!
I like living there because: It’s a small-ish town but it’s got everything – parks, countryside, good schools, restaurants, pubs, supermarkets, and good facilities generally. It’s in Hyndburn but is on the edge of the Ribble Valley!
My favourite things to do locally are: Watch local cricket, follow Burnley FC, walk over Whalley Nab, and eat at Checco’s Italian restaurant with my family. I also enjoy walking in the Lake District and am gradually ticking off the Wainwrights!
The best hidden gem in my local area is: Dean Clough Reservoir – I can often be found walking my dog Digger around the res!
Three reasons I would recommend my area to people: It’s a handy spot – near to the bigger work centres of Blackburn and Burnley, close enough for meals out in Clitheroe and Whalley, and also in the catchment areas for good schools.
Favourite building in Lancashire: The town clock is the prominent building in Great Harwood. It’s a Listed structure on the Town Gate – the old market square in the centre of the town, built in memory of John Mercer in the times of the cotton industry.
ABOUT PAUL
Paul is a Partner at Lea Hough and a Chartered Building Surveyor. His day-to-day work involves professional consultancy services and project management, as well as managing a team of building surveyors. He works extensively with schools, academies and multi-academy trusts, helping them secure funding and overseeing a wide range of building projects, including extensions, refurbishments, repairs and improvements.
Paul also has extensive experience in commercial property, including building surveys, project design and delivery, and dilapidations. He provides strategic advice to landlords and tenants and is highly experienced in the project management of construction and refurbishment projects for commercial clients.
