Bid submitted for up to £25m worth of regeneration cash

The Goole Town Deal Board has now submitted its proposals to the Government to regenerate the town centre, in a bid to secure funding of up to £25m.

The outcome of the Government’s decision, which is expected to be known by spring, will determine how much funding from the initial offer in November 2019 will be secured.

Goole is one of the 101 towns invited to develop proposals for the Government’s £3.6bn Towns Fund.

Projects included within the proposals are:

• physical regeneration of both property and the urban environment within the town centre
• the use of ‘anchor’ destinations in the town centre for leisure and enterprise opportunities
• improvement of physical connectivity through an enhanced rail connection and digitally through gigabit broadband.

Joseph Richardson, chairman of the Goole Town Deal Board, said: “There is no doubt that Goole is a town on the up.

“Having worked in the town for over 20 years, I have never known such an exciting time, with major private sector investments already happening, and high-skilled jobs on the way.

“It is now imperative that we harness this amazing potential with complementary investment in the town centre, which faces many challenges such as market failure on the high street and underutilised buildings.

“We want to give residents a town that they are proud of – and that is the driving force behind this Town Deal which we are fully committed to delivering.”

East Riding of Yorkshire Council will oversee funding distribution in its role as the accountable body for the Goole Town Deal Board.

Its leader, Councillor Richard Burton, said: “Like many towns, Goole has suffered from structural economic change, along with changes to the traditional functioning of its town centre.

“However, through this potentially transformative plan, I am optimistic that new uses, new facilities and services, and a better environment, can fully reinvigorate the town centre.”

Goole’s Victorian Market Hall, which currently remains vacant, has recently received accelerated Town Deal Funding for repairs and maintenance.

Future proposals for the building include creating event space for community-led pop-ups, enterprises and festivals.

Plans are in place to establish a high visibility hub on the high street, which would serve as a focal point to connect people, businesses and opportunities.

And there is also a plan for a direct rail link connecting Goole with the wider region to help drive economic growth in the town.

MP Andrew Percy said: “Unfortunately, Goole continues to still have areas of significant deprivation and, in many ways, it is a perfect example of the sort of community the Government’s levelling-up agenda is aimed at.

“Our town centre has faced significant challenges in recent years, and there is much more to do to ensure that local residents have the skills required to take advantage of the new jobs coming to our town.

“Private sector investment will certainly help address these challenges, but our full potential will only be reached with significant public sector investment, such as the Town Deal.”