Commissioner highlights social value investment being delivered through Pendle station build

Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has highlighted the millions of pounds of social value investment being seen in the east of the county as part of the building of a new police station for the Pendle area.

Social Value plays a part in every procurement, with a commitment to deliver economic and community benefit being delivered by Willmott Dixon throughout the new station development in Nelson.

As of the latest updated figures up to the end of June 2025, around £11.8m has been spent within 30 miles of the Carr Road site. Local labour, both direct and via the supply chain, has also been around 70% from the local area. Willmott Dixon has also offered work support through work experience placements, career mentoring to unemployed people and over 120 weeks of skills work with Apprentice and T-Level students

There has also been over 21 hours of engagement at local schools or college’s, and also a hundred hours of community volunteering through the local food club, Pendle Food for All.

Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire said:

“These statistics highlight how we can use social value, and the substantial spending power I have, to improve people’s lives and invest in areas. Investment will benefit local communities in and around Pendle, both in the short and long term, with employment opportunities, education and skills benefiting local people.

“Earlier this year I visited the Pendle Food for All food club, which has also been supported by Willmott Dixon, through volunteering hours and other help such as networking and building relationships. This is all fantastic work that makes every investment work as hard as possible for the people of Lancashire.

“When we can invest back in communities through social value, alongside first and foremost delivering an efficient service, we make every penny spent on policing work as hard as possible for the people of Lancashire. As Commissioner I will continue to work with the Constabulary to drive this investment and back Lancashire wherever we can to improve communities and improve lives.”

Cristina Marshall-Kimberley, Head of Estates and Facilities Management for Lancashire Constabulary said: “The modern site is part of much-needed wider investment in policing infrastructure, and as part of our procurement process the social value added was a key deciding factor in the selection of Willmott Dixon as our contractor for the project.

“We are pleased to see that they are delivering on the social value parameters, and the impact this has already had on the local community in Pendle.”

Chief Superintendent Steve Rides, Commander for East Division added: “I am delighted that the new Pendle police station is already giving back to the community in the areas highlighted by the latest figures.

“The new police station is more than just a building, it’s an investment in our people and for the people of Pendle.

“With the structure taking shape, we can see how the working environment will help provide the facilities our teams need to do their jobs effectively, ensuring officers have the modern facilities and the very best support to deliver frontline services to keep the people of Pendle safe.”

Mike Poole-Sutherland, North West director for Willmott Dixon said: “We share Lancashire Constabulary’s passion for ensuring this landmark project is built for the people of Pendle by the people of Pendle.

“We are committed to creating a lasting legacy beyond the project. Our team are incredibly proud to have delivered a bespoke ‘Building Lives Academy’ skills programme for local people not in education, employment or training (NEET) alongside Pendle Yes Hub and Positive Action in the Community. Looking forward, we are excited to be working with local schools on a student project to create artwork to be displayed in the new station when it is completed.”