Abandoned UK city centre branded a ‘grot spot' where empty department store left to rot is set for £200,000 makeover
A HIGH street 'grot spot' is set to undergo a £200,000 transformation in the hopes of reviving the area.
The street has been tarnished by an abandoned department store and is in desperate need of rejuvenation.
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Canterbury City Council approved the plans earlier this week
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St Mary Bredman Square in Canterbury will be revamped in £200,000 project
A £200,000 revamp project is set to restore a
St Mary Bredman Square, Kent, which contains a Grade-II listed war memorial, has been approved for development.
Canturbery City Council plan to use some of the £22 million they received from the previous government's Levelling Up scheme.
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The proposals include new steps and seating, improved flowerbeds and a new mural.
The
They
The memorial commemorates Royal East Kent Yeomanry soldiers who died in the Boer and First World War, in addition to a memorial for animals that died during the conflict.
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Comments from locals seemed less enthusiastic about the development.
One wrote: "Save the money. It's such a small space."
While another added: "Need a bit more than £200k to sort this!"
Huddersfield Station Closure: £70 Million Revamp Set to Transform Travel
Yet others felt that the £200k cost
One
"Surely you could do this for a fraction of the money?"
Others said that the square itself isn't the problem - it's the derelict buildings surrounding it that have left it feeling uninviting.
Some locals suggested that the community should come together to clean up the area.
Stewart Ross, chairman of Canterbury Commemoration Society has said that the
Stewart told the BBC: "Certainly, [the refurbishment] needs to be done because it's a pretty crucial area in the history of Canterbury.
"It could be quite attractive and we'd support any work being done to improve it.
"It needs a bit of artwork there rather than that out-of-place memorial statue."
The abandoned department store - a former Nasons - is also Grade II listed.
It comes as towns across the country have tried to revive their high streets following a decline in footfall since Covid.
High streets have been left with empty stores and dilapidated shop fronts as councils try to revive the struggling areas.
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