Ministerial approval unlocks £19m to radically improve town centre

Brighouse is to be transformed with a more welcoming town centre, new market building and investment in manufacturing, skills and jobs, with the green light given to plans put forward to Government.

Proposals comprising The Brighouse Deal have now been approved by Ministers, which unlocks £19.1m worth of funding.

Business cases for five projects were approved in July by Calderdale Council and the Brighouse Town Deal Board, made up of representatives from the town’s private and voluntary sector, community and residents’ groups.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has now confirmed it is confident in the consultation process which has taken place over the last three years.

Plans can now progress to the next stage. Approved projects are:

• Brighouse Welcome – £400,000 to develop public realm on the edge of the town centre, encouraging active lifestyles and creating a place that enhances Brighouse’s profile as a destination.

• Canalside & Thornton Square – £6m to improve outdoor recreation opportunities and the image of Brighouse to existing and potential residents and businesses via enhanced connectivity to the canalside, and harnessing the historic value of Thornton Square to provide an event and community space.

• Brighouse Retail & Leisure – £9m to enhance the retail and leisure offer of Brighouse’s town centre by prioritising people and enhancing public spaces to increase footfall, spending in shops, cafes, and restaurants.

• Market Revitalisation – £3m to deliver a new market building on the canalside with 40 fixed and pop-up market stalls with supporting infrastructure, including toilets and seating areas.

• Industry 4.0 & Skills – £650,000 to put high-tech manufacturing at the heart of the town’s future by creating an Industry 4.0 Hub where small and medium sized businesses can explore how digital technology can improve productivity and increase innovation.

The next step will see more detailed designs developed. Planning approvals will also be required, with project delivery scheduled to start in 2023 and project completion by mid-2025.

Councillor Sophie Whittaker, co-chair of Brighouse Town Deal Board, said: “We are pleased the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities agrees these plans will make a huge difference to our town and unlock our potential for the future.

“We are now moving into a new phase which will see further development of the projects and then, hopefully in around 12 months’ time, the start of construction and delivery of our vision.”

Cllr Sarah Courtney, Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for towns, engagement and public health, said: “The go-ahead for the £19.1m is a really exciting moment for the future of Brighouse. It’s great national recognition for the Brighouse Deal regeneration plans, and shows confidence in the future of the town.”