Barnstaple to see £11m invested in Market Quarter

A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME

£11 million transformation of Barnstaple town centre will happen by March, 2024.

North Devon Council has agreed to invest £4.4m to support a £6.5m allocation from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Future High Streets Fund for improvements in the town.

North Devon had requested £9.45m for four projects in the town and, having been awarded funding for only 69% of the scheme, in a meeting entirely in private, agreed to borrow the shortfall in the budget to enable all four projects to be completed.

The improvement projects for the Market Quarter have been developed with the aim of transforming the town into one where residents have access to good-quality retail, leisure and open spaces; and where local businesses can thrive in fit-forpurpose spaces.