£2.6m facelift: Help for town to recover from effects of virus
Council’s delight at scheme while store owner slams its timing
A MAJOR scheme to aid the recovery of Loughborough town centre has been approved by councillors - but one business owner says the project is a poor use of funds given the current crisis.
Works are set to start next month on the £2.6 million Bedford Square Gateway Project, designed to showcase the area’s character and heritage.
Wider pavements, new street lighting and furniture will be added while a large open space in Devonshire Square will be created to host events and markets. The redesign will retain parking and maintain traffic flow.
Charnwood Borough Council leader Jonathan Morgan said: “I am delighted this important regeneration scheme is now going to get under way.
“It will transform the area around Bedford Square, Ward’s End and Devonshire Square into a much more welcoming and inviting gateway for people visiting the town centre.
“The pandemic has clearly had a significant impact on the national and local economy, but we are already working on helping the borough to recover. This scheme is a key element of that recovery effort, particularly for Loughborough.
But the timing of the large project has been branded a “disgrace” by Mike Jackson, who runs town centre store, Pickworth Furnishing.
He thinks that the council money would be better spent on adult and children services and mental health provision given the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
Mr Jackson said: “I think it’s despicable that they can contemplate spending £2.6 million of public money when we are in the greatest times of austerity, when there’s no money around.
“They are spending money on street furniture that doesn’t serve any purpose.”
He said that the events area to be created in Devonshire Square was likely to be unused for some time as people would not want to gather together after Covid-19, and that investment in the town centre should focus on shops.
He added: “They are saying they will minimise disruption but when there’s work going on, people will avoid the town. Next year is going to be really tough, retailers are set to close. I think the money could be better spent.”
The council insists disruption will be kept to a minimum. “We recognise how important it is for shops to remain accessible and operational,” said council leader Jonathan Morgan.
Some initial work will start in January with the main construction phase due to begin in mid-February.
David Pagett-Wright, chair of the Loughborough Town Team, said the project had been many years in the making. He said: “It is excellent news that this longawaited scheme has finally been given the go-ahead after many years in the making.
“As a key project in the Loughborough Masterplan it will help rejuvenate a distinct area of the town centre that has its own unique character.
“The vibrant mix of independent businesses in Bedford Square, Ward’s End and Devonshire Square have inevitably suffered as a result of the Covid-19 restrictions but, hopefully, this scheme will play an important part in the path to recovery as all town centres have to adapt to ever-changing requirements.”
Lez Cope-Newman, chairman of Love Loughborough BID, said: “It has taken a tremendous amount of work over such a long period for this scheme to eventually get the approval to go ahead. It is crucial that these works commence but the management of the works and the ongoing communication and constructive engagement with businesses is the key to making this a success, especially now in times where Covid-19 has hit business trade hard.
“The Love Loughborough BID team will be available throughout the works to ensure that disruption to trade is kept to an absolute minimum and ensure deliveries and customer access is maintained throughout the improvements.”
More details about the project are available on the Charnwood Borough Council website.