£2.6m revamp will showcase heritage of the town centre
A MAJOR regeneration scheme for Loughborough town centre has got under way.
The £2.6 million Bedford Square Gateway Project aims to make the area more attractive to visitors and to boost businesses.
Charnwood Borough Council is overseeing the scheme.
The project will involve widening and repaving footpaths, “to showcase the area’s distinct character and heritage”, it said.
“Character street lighting and furniture” is being installed, and the area will be reconfigured so more of it is on one level, making it more accessible. A large open space will be created in Devonshire Square to host events and markets.
Council leader Jonathan Morgan said: “The Bedford Square Gateway Project will transform the southern end of the town centre and make it a much more welcoming place to visit.
“I look forward to seeing it progress and when completed it will make a significant difference to Loughborough.
“This scheme takes on greater significance because of the pandemic and the need to drive the economic recovery of Loughborough town centre.
“I am pleased we are investing in its future.”
The project has received £183,000 from the Pooled Business Rates Fund – a pot of surplus funding managed by Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership on behalf of local authorities, which is used to invest in economic development priorities.
Councillor Jenny Bokor, lead member for Loughborough, said: “The scheme will bring new life to this part of town, which is good for shoppers, visitors and businesses.
“We will have to tolerate some disruption for a few months but when complete it will make a big difference to the town centre experience.”
Road resurfacing and the construction of a pedestrian crossing points and raised tables will be carried out in the final part of the project.
Parking will not be available in Devonshire Square while the work is carried out, to help traffic to continue to flow through the area.
There will be access to shops at all times.
Larger parking bays, some of which will be designated as disabled spaces, will be created as part of the scheme.
A loading bay will also be built and cycle parking facilities will be added.