People in Arnold have welcomed a £50 million bid to rejuvenate the town centre. Gedling Borough Council announced that it would apply for the cash from the Government's 'Levelling Up' funding last month.
It said the money would go directly to improve Arnold town centre, including the construction of a new leisure centre, library and park. Carol Chamberlain, who lives in the town, said it was "about time".
"Hopefully they will sort the problems at weekends when people are getting drunk and causing trouble, because it's terrible," said the 72 year old.
Read more: Arnold town centre could get £50m funding boost if council bid is successful
"People are here drinking from 10 in the morning on Saturdays, it's awful." She welcomed the plans for a leisure centre, adding: "It would be good to have more activities for the over 60s."
Phillip Millward was similarly welcoming, saying the town was "in need of a boost". The 70 year old told Nottinghamshire Live: "I came back to Arnold after eight years, it was a bustling place when we left it. But when I came back it was all charity shops.
"When I thought about it I realised that's just the way it is because not as many people go into town." Dawn Foster, who lives locally, added: "I do come into Arnold a lot. There doesn't seem to be much for younger people.
"Arnold seems to be more of a meeting place for older people, which is a nice thing. We could do with more clothes shops in town. A new leisure centre would be good but only if the costs are kept down."
The current Arnold Leisure Centre, along with the Bonington Theatre, would be replaced, along with plans for a new library and public realm space. The 'Levelling Up' Fund has up to £4.8billion of funding available for local infrastructure across the UK.
Gedling Borough Council previously bid for £20million in the first round but was unsuccessful. Labour leader of Gedling Borough Council, councillor John Clarke MBE, who represents Netherfield, said: "We think this is a strong proposal that, if successful, will help rebuild our town centre. The application includes ambitious proposals for a brand new leisure and culture site at the north part of Arnold town that will improve this part of the town following the recent investment in the south part of the town with the creation of The AMP (Arnold Market Place) building.
"Residents in Arnold have told us the physical appearance of the area and variety of shops is an issue. This money would be used to improve those areas and create a real buzz in the town centre.
"We have already shown our intentions with the multi-million-pound investments we have made in the new Arnold Market Place and the refurbishment of Carlton town centre and we will continue to do everything we can to improve the borough for our residents and businesses."
Gedling Borough Council has said the new £4million building, The AMP, will open 'shortly'. It's said to feature a number of enterprise businesses there, and is hoped to create a better economy for the area.
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