The East Midlands areas receiving millions from the Towns Fund revealed

The government has revealed 45 areas that will receive money from the Towns Fund, equating to £1.02 billion. Including a number of towns in the East Midlands and will kickstart a raft of development projects, help towns “level up” and get over the pandemic.

See all the areas in our region that have been funded below:

Nottinghamshire

Mansfield – £12.3m

Mansfield District Council submitted a bid for £26m in October 2021 on behalf of the Place Board, which comprises representatives from a wide range of partner organisations.

Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams said: “While the council and Place Board are disappointed not to have received the full amount, we are pleased to hear that up to £12.3m is on the way to Mansfield.

“This can inject much-needed cash into the district and help to kick-start regeneration in the local economy at a very crucial time once we emerge from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. It will likewise encourage further investment to help make Mansfield a destination of choice for living, working and learning.”

The bid submitted last year included 13 projects according to investment of more than £70m and covering themes of town centres, skills and growth, transport and connectivity, health and wellness, and identity and brand, and with the environment a key consideration consistent with Mansfield’s green agenda.

The Government has confirmed it would like to consider that the funding be employed to support any of the following 10 projects:

• Destination Mansfield (purchasing parks and sports facilities)
• Warsop Community Leisure Hub
• Destination Mansfield branding programme
• A future technology skills and knowledge exchange centre
• Mansfield Woodhouse micro-tech units
• A new multi-agency Civic Hub for public services
• Student accommodation to aid growth in higher education places
• Warsop Heritage Action Zone to support reinvigorating Warsop town centre
• Smart Mansfield (improving digital infrastructure)
• Cycling infrastructure improvement

Andrew Cropley, Principal and Chief Executive of West Nottinghamshire College and Chair from the Making Mansfield Place Board, said: “Our intention through the bid is to make a significant investment to provide more people the skills they need to access well paid, top quality, forward-looking, secure employment. We also want to enable local businesses to upskill their employees to allow them to become more productive, embrace technology, enter new markets, grow their businesses and provide yet more opportunities to residents. Whilst we’ve only been given half of what we need, I really hope this funding will help us in realising this vision.”

Newark – £25m

The funding will support nine catalyst projects for the regeneration of the town, with further projects and aspirations spanning the next 30 years. The ambitious plans will transform Newark, making it a vibrant place for people to live, work and visit.

Projects will support the creation of new educational provisions and pathways, attracting new and skilled jobs and industries, securing new green and cycling infrastructure and providing greater footfall and vibrancy for Newark town centre through new homes, events, uses and enhanced public spaces.

The application for Government funding involved the submission of Newark’s ‘Town Investment Plan’ (TIP), which was developed by a dedicated Newark Towns Fund Board, which comprises a lot more than 40 private and public businesses and bodies. Including businesses, educators, the community and voluntary sectors and town, district and parish councils.

The priority projects include:

• IASTI (Newark)® – a global Air Space and Training Institute which will create new jobs locally and train the next generation of skills-matched aviation professionals with military and civil partners including pilots, engineers and ground staff
• Expanding the YMCA Newark and Sherwood Community and Activity Village by setting up a new state of the art home to sports and leisure facilities, music and art spaces, conferencing, a wellbeing and health delivery service suite, culinary training, the biggest outdoor skate park within the East Midlands and an Olympic climbing centre
• Working with University partners to build up a Smart Innovation, Supply Chain and Logistics Enterprise zone to create a centre of excellence with regional and national significance and to provide access to skills development and career pathways
• The Castle Gate House project to enhance the experience of Newark’s foremost historical asset and transform the Castle into a major attraction for residents and visitors alike
• The redevelopment of 32 Stodman Street (the previous Marks and Spencer’s) to produce high quality Town Centre residential living and new commercial and work place, creating activity and footfall
• Newark Cultural Heart – plans to drive and measure additional footfall and native spend through the repurposing of public buildings and spaces, a continuing calendar of events and activities, and developing a brand and tone of voice for the Town
• The relocation of the current police station on Queen’s Route to Castle House, enabling us to help keep and work more closely with Police colleagues and allowing the redevelopment of the current site
• Aspirations to work with a range of partners to change Newark into a ’20-minute town’, giving people the ability to meet most of their everyday needs within a 20-minute walk, cycle or local trains and buses trip from their home

Councillor David Lloyd, Co-Chair from the Newark Towns Fund Board and Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “I'm delighted the Government has acknowledged the scale, ambition, span and transformative nature from the proposals, which have been developed with the Towns Board with input from the whole range of businesses, education, community, and Government partners following public consultation.

“The plans directly address Newark’s visible and unseen challenges and will create opportunities not only for current and generations to come of Newark residents and businesses, but past the town’s boundaries given the impact of the projects and partners involved.

“The proposals put forward to the Government have been prepared by our local businesses, providing local solutions that does not only address Newark’s challenges and resident’s needs but go well beyond them. Newark will become a destination of choice where people want to live, work and visit. Work had already commenced in anticipation of this announcement and can now continue at pace.”

Derbyshire

Clay Cross – £24.1m

The funding means the city can now look forward to many regeneration projects being started. Now, with the successful bid and funding in position, the town can expect to see the demolition of old derelict buildings and exciting new proposals such as a new innovative leisure facility to begin.

The £24.1m funding and projects means the town will be a creative and community hub in North East Derbyshire and a real, thriving asset to the County with job opportunities for local residents and business investment opportunities available throughout the duration of the plan.

North East Derbyshire District Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Councillor Carolyn Renwick said: “What an incredible and proud moment to Clay Cross and North East Derbyshire. To become awarded the full sum we requested – over £24 million pounds means Clay Cross will be a thrilling hub of redevelopment, opportunity and prosperity for years to come.

“With many exciting projects planned – and wanted by the residents, this opportunity will really put Clay Cross on the map, with a brand new leisure centre set to be started on, retention and re-use of historic buildings and assets and also the demolition of the derelict sites, it is really an exciting time for all.

“The jobs that will be created during the construction phase follows on to a transformation from the town, with opportunities for investment from businesses in the future and join the town – with job opportunities here for this and generations to come.”

Staveley – £25.2m

Presenting a ‘golden opportunity’ to change the area for future generations, the funding follows a successful bid by the Staveley Town Deal Board, which submitted an urban area Investment Plan to unlock the funding package for a range of projects that will drive long-term economic growth, offer quality skills and employment opportunities and improve the green spaces and canal network around Staveley.

The Town Investment Plan features 11 projects:

Ivan Fomin, Chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, said: “We are delighted at the news from Government today that Staveley stands to be awarded £25.2m as part of the Towns Fund. Our plans are rooted in the needs and aspirations of Staveley’s communities, and also have been driven by the Board’s collective ambitions to attract the investment that this area deserves.

“Bringing funding on this scale to Staveley will transform the area and realise huge advantages to local people, both in terms of the way they lead their everyday lives and take advantage of future opportunities. As a local businessman and Chair of the Town Deal Board, I am thrilled that Government has recognised the potential of our place and sees the worth in backing our Town Investment Plan.”

The funding is going to be spent over a five-year period, steered by the Staveley Town Deal Board, along with the overall programme managed by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, added: “Today’s announcement is tremendous news for the borough, and for the communities of Staveley who're set to benefit from this sizeable purchase of a range of exciting projects and programmes.

“This is a golden opportunity which paves the way with this former mining community – which has often been overlooked by previous national funding programmes – to realise its full potential both now as well as in the future.

“I would like to thank all of the partners who have worked on the Town Deal over the last year. Staveley is a very special place with a rich history and wonderful assets. Through this funding, we will look to harness the town’s great potential through re-vitalising high street shops, delivering new investment and much-needed jobs, supporting residents to reach their full potential and exciting the interest of new visitors to the place.”

Northamptonshire

Northampton – £25m

In December, the Northampton Forward board submitted its Town Investment Plan to Government as the basis for its bid for Towns Fund support.

At time, this asked for £37 million including a duplicate bid for funding to pay for planned work on the Market Square and Waterloo House. As Northampton continues to be awarded £8.4 million from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund for that Market Square work and Waterloo House has been bought by a private developer, both of these projects worth £12 million were removed.

The full list of projects being supported is as follows:

• Town Centre Public Realm
• 41-45 Abington Street
• 35-39 Abington Street
• Marefair Heritage Gateway
• Four Waterside
• 24 Guildhall Road Arts Centre
• Extension of 78 Derngate – The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Museum
• Emporium Way
• St Peter’s and also the Old Black Lion
• Skills and Social Enterprise

The Government grant will be supported by match-funding of £13.5 million in the Council, Enterprise Zone, Getting Building Fund and the National Heritage Lottery Fund and will unlock private-sector investment worth £156m.

Jo Gordon, Leader of the Royal & Derngate and Northampton Forward Board Member, said: “Also could we have hoped for than an award for the full amount sought? This money will breathe life right into a range of very exciting projects, including some heavy investment into our blossoming Cultural Quarter, and will be the catalyst for a huge amount of private sector investment in the town.”

Lincolnshire

Boston – £21.9m

Boston put forward several ambitious projects aimed at creating jobs by investing in education, tourism, infrastructure and skills.

The offer opens opportunities using the government and the private sector about future methods to support and revitalise the town post COVID, providing an enormous boost to regeneration and economic recovery.

Chair of the Boston Town Deal board and MD of Chestnut Homes, Neil Kempster, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be receiving the funding we bid for back in October. This is a culmination of a lot work, and it’s so exciting to see our hard work being rewarded. Boston deserves to be recognised as a historic and forward-thinking town.

“As with other towns fund recipients, we're determined to make sure this is a catalyst for more investment and further growth for the town. The projects we have already in motion thanks to accelerated funding in the Towns Fund are ambitious in their scope, and this further funding just underlines that.”

Proposed projects in Boston include utilising from the town’s port to create a new centre for skills associated with logistics and food, in addition to bringing these industries up-to-date with digital skills in collaboration with the University of Lincoln and Boston College.

Outstanding learning opportunities in an innovative new Mayflower Centre and a hub for health and leisure complement the focus around town centre’s rejuvenation through a programme of investment from the town’s historic marketplace, Blackfriars and Shodfriars. Funding is also being proposed for voluntary-led projects such as a community radio station and hubs that serve their local communities such as churches.

Lincoln – £19m

The Lincoln Town Deal Board initially submitted intends to government to bid for pretty much £25m of funding to deliver long-term economic growth in the city, and received less.

15 projects were proposed:

Digitalisation:  
Lincoln Made Smarter – a scheme that will accelerate the development of industrial digital technologies (IDTs) through focused support to SMEs.

Lincoln connected – the use of digital technology to enable better use of arts, culture and heritage, including through the provision of an Open Content Management system (CMS) and Smart Signage.

Skills to support Inclusive Growth:
Health and Well-being Hub – Growth and development of a Health and Wellbeing training and support Centre (HWBC), to create part of the Lincoln College.

LCFC Community hub – the development and redevelopment of the current stadium infrastructure like a community training and employment facility.

Hospitality, Events and Tourism (HEAT) College – growth and development of the UK’s first Hospitality, Events and Tourism (HEAT) College.

Sustainable Transport:  
Wigford Way – improved walking and cycling environment and public realm along Wigford Way and St Mary’s Street.

Sincil Bank – traffic improvements together with a resident only parking scheme, a 20mph vehicle zone, improved place-setting, development of a green corridor and environmental improvements.

Urban Regeneration; Arts, Culture, Heritage and Enterprise Infrastructure:
Central Market & City Vibrancy – restoration and repurposing the Grade II listed Central Market Building to create a modern and diversified market offer, combining retail, food, leisure and technology.

Drill Hall Development – refurbishment for use as evening cultural/leisure venue along with a community hub and adult training venue.

Tentercroft Steet – redevelopment of the strategic brownfield site to create new workspace and city residing in the heart of the City Centre.

Barbican Production & Maker Hub – Refurbishment of the Barbican Hotel for use as a production hub for that creative sector.

The Hive – The redevelopment of a vacant, public estate building to supply city living for key workers alongside workspace and training provision.

Food Partnership – Store of Stories – the introduction of a centrally located food supermarket, providing inexpensive locally supplied waste and surplus food alongside a programme of advice, support and training, volunteering, and work placements opportunities.

Road to Net Zero Programme – A programme of four projects that support the work of the Lincoln Climate Commission, and the ‘Roadmap to Zero carbon Lincoln’ plan. The projects are: The Feeding Tariff; Construction Retrofit Project; SME Green Recovery Grant Scheme; Lincoln Community Investment Bond.

Greyfriars – restoration of the C13th building to open it towards the public as a heritage attraction with a mix of a digital and tactile, immersive interpretation scheme, temporary exhibitions, events, conferencing and academic activities.

Grimsby – £20.9m

Seven projects were submit to be made possible by the funding, taken from an overarching Grimsby Town Centre Masterplan.

The projects presented to Government are:

• The development of a new public square at Riverhead Square (phase 1 of the work is already being planned thanks to an early award of £1m of presidency funding);
• Better pedestrian and cycle loops to connect the town centre and Alexandra Dockside;
• The next phase of growth and development of Garth Lane towards the creation of a major new waterfront residential community;
• Refurbishment from the Central Library to accommodate new uses, such as the potential for a new learning and innovation facility;
• Development of the Victoria Mill Quarter including enhancement towards the waterfront, to attract new uses to this heritage part of the town;
• Further regeneration of St James’ Quarter to complement the regeneration works currently being carried out;
• A local grant programme for community and local business-based initiatives, which supports activity within the town centre.

Scunthorpe – £20.9m

Bold proposals are designed to enable the county town to contend with cities across the UK to draw in private sector investment.

Investments will be focused on creating an advanced manufacturing park with 4 million sq ft of space to draw in more world-class engineering firms towards the area, further development of the town’s cultural quarter in and around Church Square and progressing focus on a health and emergency services hub.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “These plans have always been about investing in a better future for the people of Scunthorpe and North Lincolnshire. That ambition has been supported today with the announcement of presidency cash to get the many varied and transformational projects going.

“We’ve seen lots of development across the town in the last few years, we’ve had a great deal of support and cash through Covid-19 to help keep things going and now this will be an essential part of the recovery and renewal.

“These serious plans for investment over the next five years will create jobs, they'll create even better conditions for growth making the area a more attractive environment for businesses to take a position. The end result be more highly-skilled, well-paid, sustainable jobs in Scunthorpe for anyone who live here.”

The advanced manufacturing park, cultural quarter development and emergency services hub projects are to be supported with significant purchase of gigabit broadband to help businesses obtain a competitive edge.

The development of around 500 new homes in the town and a skills development programme is made to ensure local people are best placed to take advantage of all the new opportunities.

Skegness – £24.5m – and Mablethorpe – £23.9m

Last year Skegness and Mablethorpe teamed up to bid for £50 million, forming the ‘Connected Coast’ board and set forward ambitious projects aimed at creating a more attractive place to live, work and play, and to boost the local economy, resulting in more jobs for local people.

Chair of the Connected Coast board, Sarah-Louise Fairburn, said: “We're incredibly excited to have achieved two Town Deals for that Lincolnshire Coast, and it is down to the hard work of the Towns Fund team and support from the ambitious Connected Coast board.

“To all of us, this is the start of a transformative journey and also the Towns Fund is just the tip of the iceberg. The hard work starts now and we hope this initial success will act as a catalyst for further investment, development of jobs and growth on the coast, and even more interest from the private sector.

“We know the potential and the great base we have to build on here, so we can’t wait to start this great journey of change. We would like people to visit, residents to become proud of their area, and for the future to be secure for business. There’s real passion here and that we want to capitalise on that.”

Proposed Skegness projects include:

• Skegness Foreshore – Utilising the present structures around the boating lake to produce an outdoor events arena for activities for example concerts, light festivals and outdoor cinema with associated improvements to local facilities.
• Learning Campus – Establishment of a new FE facility in Skegness, providing new and digitally delivered training opportunities for the coast which complement current provision within the locality.
• Railway Station – Full renovation from the main station building, old Red star building, Station internal concourse and Canopy at Skegness station.
• Town Centre Transformation – Physical investment to upgrade the built environment on Lumley Road (in the Train Station to the Esplanade), transforming Skegness’ neglected historic town centre and key gateway to visitors via a comprehensive town centre regeneration programme.
• Multi-User Trail – The multi-user trail is an opportunity to add significant value to 1 of the footpaths, along with the development of the interconnecting footpaths, cycle ways
  and a large bus turnaround to enable 2 bus routes to extend and interconnect, as a part of the wider project.
• Police Training Centre – Centre for Training Police and provision of wider training capacity, conference and office accommodation.
• Cultural Skegness – Embassy Theatre and Cultural Lab to support cultural and arts education and Skegness building illuminations.
• YMCA – Integrated programme delivering accommodation, learning, employment childcare and leisure.
• Skegness Gateway – Infrastructure to open up employment and housing land.

Proposed Mablethorpe projects include:

• Leisure and Learning Hub – A hub to support physical and emotional well-being across all ages.
• Mobi-Hub – A new transport hub on neighbourhood level, where different sustainable and shared transport modes are linked with each other.
• Town Centre Transformation
• Colonnade at Sutton on Sea – The brand new build scheme that will introduce new café, restaurant, gallery and exhibition spaces – with viewing decks overlooking the adjacent beach, paddling pool and Pleasure Gardens.
• Campus for Future Living – A medical and innovation hub of national significance concentrating on attracting and developing medical professionals, research, and providing intergenerational future living.
• Funds for that National Trust at Sandilands