Padiham Working Men’s Club, known locally as the “Top Club”, is a historic building located within the Padiham Conservation Area in Burnley, Lancashire. Built in 1876 as the headquarters of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows and run by local miners, the building has operated as a club and bar since the nineteenth century.
The property is situated within Burnley Borough Council’s designated Padiham Conservation Area, which covers the historic town centre core and is protected to preserve its traditional Lancashire hill-town character. A programme of repair and restoration works was undertaken to the building’s front elevations, resulting in a significant impact on the street scene within the conservation area.
The Works
A comprehensive scheme of repairs and restoration was undertaken to the building’s front elevations to preserve its historic character and enhance its appearance within the conservation area.
The works included:
- Full rake out and lime repointing of the stonework, removing inappropriate cement-based mortar
- Defrassing and cleaning of the existing masonry
- Localised stone repairs
- Roof and chimney repairs
- Replacement rainwater goods
- Reinstatement of original timber sliding slash windows
- Reinstatement of traditional timber shopfronts and entrance doors
- Hand-painted signage in keeping with the building’s heritage
The project was delivered by specialist contractor Penyard Limited of Trawden.
Our Role
Lea Hough acted as Principal Designer under both the Building Regulations and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM). We also provided Contract Administration services throughout the project, overseeing the works from outset through to completion and helping to ensure the restoration was delivered to the required quality and conservation standards.
Outcome
The completed works have had a significant positive impact on the street scene within the Padiham Conservation Area.
The project has seen repair and restoration works carried out to the building’s front elevations, together with the reinstatement of original architectural features including timber sliding sash windows, timber shopfronts and the entrance door.
As a building that has operated as a club and bar since the nineteenth century, the property continues to form part of the historic town centre core of Padiham within Burnley Borough Council’s designated conservation area.
The restoration project was supported by a £124,331 grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, awarded through Burnley Council.
The investment has helped restore the building’s historic frontage, bringing back traditional architectural features and improving its appearance within Padiham Conservation Area.
Councillor Lubna Khan, Burnley Council’s Executive Member for Development and Growth, said:
“It’s wonderful to see Padiham Working Men’s Club looking so good again. It’s been part of Padiham for generations and is an important part of the town’s history.
“Padiham has some fantastic historic buildings, and projects like this show what a difference investment in their restoration can make. The traditional windows, shopfronts and stonework have really brought the character of the building back to life.
“We’re delighted to have supported this project through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, helping to preserve an important part of Padiham’s heritage for years to come.”
