Region’s towns secure £145m boost from Town Deals programme

Kirkby-in-Ashfield town centre will be transformed

Towns across the East Midlands are celebrating this morning (June 8) after receiving tens of millions of pounds as part of the Government’s flagship Town Deals programme.

Ashfield, in a joint bid for Kirkby and Sutton, will receive by far the largest amount of cash from the scheme – some £62.6m.

Plans already revealed could see Sutton and Kirkby town centres transformed with schemes such a business hub and a space for pop-up events in the pipeline.

Meanwhile, Loughborough has secured a £17m package of Government funding to boost skills, jobs and the local economy.

The Loughborough Town Deal Board today welcomed the announcement by Government that its Towns Fund bid had been successful and said the investment would help unlock Loughborough’s “amazing potential”.

The deal represents one of the biggest single public sector investments in the town and its communities for many years.

The Loughborough Town Deal Board worked with local businesses and residents on its investment plan which aims to create a “Loughborough for All” and make the town a better-connected place where people will want to live, learn, work, and grow.

Councillor Jonathan Morgan, co-chair of the Town Deal Board and leader of Charnwood Borough Council, said: “This is fantastic news for Loughborough. The Town Deal investment will significantly boost the area’s recovery from the pandemic by creating jobs, improving skills and making Loughborough a better-connected place where people want to live, work and visit.

“The town is brimming with potential and the Loughborough Town Deal is the key to unlocking it.

“I would like to thank everyone who has played a part in developing the Town Deal bid and we must now seize this incredible opportunity for Loughborough.”

Dr Nik Kotecha, co-chair of the Town Deal Board, said: “This successful bid is not only a victory for Loughborough, but also for the amazing collaboration that went into putting together the investment plan.

“We have involved many organisations, businesses and residents from across Loughborough to identify what holds the town back and what we can do to overcome that. The resulting investment plan sets out how we will make Loughborough a better place for everyone.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported the Loughborough Town Deal so far and I look forward to that continuing.”

Loughborough is one of 26 Town Deals to be revealed today.

Other East Midlands towns receiving cash are Long Eaton (£24.8m), Stapleford (21.1m) and Corby (19.9m).

Stapleford will use the cash to create a “reinvigorated” town centre, with sustainable new businesses and job creation tied to the green economy. The plans also include new sports and community facilities, an improved cycle network and strong connections to the nearby HS2 hub at Toton.

Communities Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said: “We are levelling up towns and cities across the country by building stronger and more resilient local economies, boosting prosperity and opportunity in our communities, and helping them build back better from the pandemic.

“Today I am announcing new town deals in 26 areas, backed by over £610 million investment from the Towns Fund. This will support locally-led projects to transform disused buildings and public spaces, deliver new green transport and create new opportunities for people to develop new skills. This is a boost for communities and businesses across England.”

Today’s announcement means that 79 Towns Deals have now been agreed – totalling over £2bn investment in communities across England.

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