A Nottinghamshire council has submitted a multi-million pound bid in hopes to expand markets and sports facilities. Ashfield District Council has submitted an £11million bid to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund for the revitalisation of Hucknall town centre.
The bid is made up of three main projects; Skills and Economic Regeneration, the Cultural and Heritage Gateway, and Access to Hucknall Town Centre. As part of the Skills and Economic Regeneration section of the bid the council is looking to add funding to their Education and Skills Strategy and to use the money to give out grants to allow businesses to improve their shopfronts.
The council highlighted their hope to explore ways to expand Hucknall’s outdoor markets, which they have branded 'successful'. The bid also plans for the Cultural and Heritage Gateway project to receive government funds, which would create a new visitor experience at St Mary Magdalene Church focusing on Hucknall’s most famous residents from the past, improve the streets, roads, and public space around the Byron Cinema, and finance a new 3G sports pitch for residents.
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Enhancements to signs, along with the creation of a digital app to improve access to the town centre for pedestrians and cyclists, and improved comfort and welcome facilities at the train/tram station, make up the Access to Hucknall Town Centre section of the bid.
Councillor Matthew Relf, Executive Lead Member for Regeneration and Corporate Transformation, said: “The Council has a vision of creating a vibrant, thriving town centre in Hucknall and this bid will help to fulfil our aim. We have been hugely successful in securing millions of pounds in funding for Sutton and Kirkby so we have high hopes for this bid for Hucknall.
“Hucknall town centre has the potential to be the beating heart of the District and this bid capitalises on this. We aim to improve the access into the town to attract more visitors, and businesses to reinvigorate the town centre. The cultural and heritage enhancements will celebrate Hucknall’s rich heritage and provide new opportunities for people to learn about this history. This bid is tremendous and represents the Council’s ambitions for Hucknall to be a modern, fantastic place to live, work and visit.”
The Levelling Up Fund bid comes as projects paid for by the Council’s Towns Fund take place in Sutton and Kirkby. Last year it was announced the district would receive £62.6 million as part of the Towns Fund initiative.
Councillor Lee Waters, who represents Hucknall North, said: “I am pleased that Hucknall’s £11million Levelling Up Fund bid has gone into Government. This is the culmination of 18 month’s hard work from Hucknall’s councillors and officers from the Council. It will fulfil our vision of creating a vibrant, thriving town centre.
“It is hugely ambitious and will be one of the biggest investments in our town for decades. It will focus on improving the life chances of residents, turbo charging investment, fast tracking public transport improvements – all whilst remembering our heritage. This is our chance to make significant change that will benefit Hucknall for generations to come.”
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