Council’s boost for town centre
FUND AIMS TO REVITALISE HIGH STREET
EMPTY properties in Sutton-in-ashfield are set for a major redevelopment as part of the council’s Future High Street Fund.
Ashfield District Council is aiming to transform Low Street, in the town centre, in a bid to revitalise the high street.
The £6.27m fund has allowed the council to secure two units previously owned by Yorkshire Bank and the YMCA.
The council wants to refurbish them to attract new facilities and provide new homes.
Two landowners of other properties on Low Street are also working with the council to regenerate the gateway into the town centre.
Councillor Matthew Relf, cabinet member for planning and regeneration, said: “The projects we’re working on as part of both the Towns Fund and Future High Streets Fund will transform Ashfield for generations to come.
“This project on Low Street is just one of the dozens coming to Sutton town centre. Residents may have already seen clearance works starting at Fox Street which will be become a vibrant pop-up food area and car park linking Asda and Portland Square. We’re also working with Sutton Academy whose new theatre project is progressing nicely too.
“We worked hard to secure this funding so we are working even harder to ensure we make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our residents.”
Local businesses believe the town centre needs heavy investment and have welcomed the move.
Paul Martin, manager of The White Swan pub, said: “If they’re going to fetch more people in then that’s fine – it needs something, to be fair.
“The shops that are shut, the council could do something with them – I am all for that.”
Richard Lacey, who works at Sanctuary Gaming Centre, said: “Any town for me that is going to get an Injection of cash investment is a good thing. But one thing I would not like to see is more of the same types of businesses. That would be salons, nail parlours, fast-food places all that kind of stuff.
“I personally think that Sutton needs a massive investment yes, very much so.”
£62.6m has also been secured for Kirkby and Sutton as part of the fund that include plans for a science discovery centre and planetarium.