Summer of Change Sees Massive Investments in Clitheroe’s Future “Hot Up"

They represent a £6.7million bonanza for sports, leisure and recreation facilities in Ribble Valley Borough Council’s most ambitious capital programme since it was formed in 1974, ensuring they will be available for use for generations to come.

Ribble Valley Borough Council leader Simon Hore said:

“We’re investing heavily in protecting, preserving and improving some of the popular facilities that are close to the hearts of many of our residents.

 

“In some cases such as the castle keep and Ribblesdale Pool, it means they will stay open and available to the public for years to come. In other cases, we’re improving sites so that they are more attractive and can be put to much better use.

 

“They are part of ambitious plans to promote Clitheroe and its landmark castle, and Ribble Valley as a whole, as somewhere that people want to live, where companies and businesses want to be, and where tourists want to visit.”

Castle keep

Contractors have been fixing crumbling stonework, fitting new flashing to prevent water damage and thinning surrounding overgrown foliage to reveal more of the eye-catching 800-year-old structure – the second smallest keep in the country.

External repointing is expected to be completed in September, after which the cover will be removed and the scaffolding dismantled.

The work has been carried out sympathetically, given the historic nature of the building, by specialist contractors using materials and methods as close as practically possible to those the original builders would have used.

Councillor Hore said:

“Some of the stonework was in such a poor state it was crumbling to the point where, if we didn’t carry out repairs, we would eventually have had to stop public access to the keep.

 

“This investment means it will remain a heritage asset for decades to come and very much stay in public ownership.”

Castle bandstand

The £600,000 project will see the bandstand repainted, its stage resurfaced, new lighting installed and its tiered steps repaved, as well as improvements to paths and benches across the park. It will enable the bandstand to be used for a wider range of music and arts events.

The bandstand has hosted numerous concerts and carol services over the years, and the popular Last Night of the Proms featuring the Clitheroe Town Band every summer. The council wants to broaden the appeal of the bandstand and open it up to a wider choice of music and cultural events.

The council is aiming to complete the refurbishment in time for this year’s Last Night of the Proms in August.

Castle grounds

An extensive programme of improvements is taking place throughout 2026 featuring new benches, bins and signposts, resurfaced paths and steps, and improved lighting.

Improvements have been made to the park’s multi-use games area (MUGA). A new surface has been laid with new markings including football, basketball and cricket, and the goals and basketball rings have been renewed. An outdoor gym area with a wide range of exercise equipment on the former tennis court is up and running. Work will also be carried out to improve the surface of the adjoining skatepark.

All the work to the castle keep and grounds adds up to a £2.3 million investment in a popular venue that benefits local residents and draws in visitors every day.

They will be completed in time for 2027, which is being branded nationally as the Year of the Normans to mark the 1000th anniversary of the birth of William the Conqueror, and the Tour de France which will pass through Ribble Valley next summer.

The council is planning a public party in the park event in spring 2027 to officially “launch” the “new look” keep and the other works. More details will be announced nearer the time.

Other projects underway are a £4.25 million revitalisation of Ribblesdale Pool, upgrades to all 18 of the borough’s council-owned play areas, plus a new £300,000 play area at Edisford Bridge, Clitheroe.