Reform UK Fylde is calling for answers over the future of Hillside in Kirkham after a project once promoted as a national centre of excellence has instead ended with the building being put on the commercial market.
In 2021, Fylde Council announced a major regeneration programme for Kirkham under the £6.3 million Future High Streets Fund.
The council described it as a “once in a generation” opportunity and said the wider Kirkham Futures masterplan would deliver around £10 million of investment into the town.
One of the flagship projects was Hillside on Preston Street.
The Grade II-listed building was supposed to become a Heritage and Eco Skills Centre — a nationally important training base for traditional crafts, construction and environmental skills.
The plans included training in skills such as:
The stated ambition was to create new jobs, attract people to Kirkham for training and provide a centre focused on heritage and sustainable living.
The original announcement went even further.
Fylde Council's own plans described Hillside as a “trailblazing” project that would create new green jobs and train citizens of all ages in sustainable, low-impact living.
Fast forward to 2026
On 28 August, Fylde Council announced that restoration work at Hillside had reached completion.
The council says the Grade II-listed building has undergone extensive conservation and restoration, including work to the roof, chimneys, windows, render, rainwater goods, ironwork and internal areas. It says it is now working with commercial agents to secure a future tenant.
But there is a rather obvious question:
Where is the Heritage and Eco Skills Centre that Kirkham was promised?
Hillside is now being openly marketed for sale.
The current Rightmove listing gives an asking figure of £650,000 and describes the property as commercial space suitable for a variety of purposes, subject to planning consent. It states that although extensive works have been carried out, a purchaser's fit-out will include heating, lighting and installation of a kitchen.
That is a very different proposition from the nationally important training centre residents were originally told would be created.
And Hillside wasn't the only promise
The Kirkham Futures programme was never simply about restoring buildings.
The original plans included an Arts Centre and Community Cinema, improvements to public spaces, regeneration of empty properties, new town-centre housing, cultural activities and measures intended to create a more vibrant town centre.
Lancashire County Council also backed the programme, with its Cabinet asked in January 2022 to approve up to £3.2 million towards the Kirkham Futures project to help address the funding shortfall.
That means residents are entitled to ask what was ultimately delivered for the money invested — and how the original promises changed along the way.
This is about accountability
Reform UK Fylde believes Kirkham residents deserve more than another press release declaring success.
They deserve clear answers.
What happened to the Heritage and Eco Skills Centre?
What happened to the promised community cinema and arts facilities?
How much public money was ultimately spent?
Why is a building bought and restored as part of a regeneration programme now being offered for sale?
And perhaps most importantly:
If Fylde Council considers the Hillside project complete, where is the centre of excellence that residents were promised in 2021?
We welcome investment in Kirkham and we welcome the restoration of an important historic building.
But restoring a building is not the same thing as delivering the project that was promised for it.
Kirkham deserves better than announcements, glossy masterplans and another press release.
It deserves delivery, transparency and accountability.
The original promises
Fylde Council's 2021 announcement on the £6.3m Future High Streets Fund
Fylde Council's 2022 announcement on the planned Hillside Heritage and Eco Skills Centre
Lancashire County Council's announcement on the proposed £3.2m contribution
Fylde Council's 2026 announcement that Hillside restoration is complete
Current Rightmove listing for Hillside, Kirkham
Reform UK Fylde will continue asking questions on behalf of residents.
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