Latest news with #towncentre
BBC News
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Free Gainsborough town centre parking under pilot scheme
Shoppers, visitors, and residents in Gainsborough are to get two hours of free parking under a pilot scheme. West Lindsey District Council hopes it will encourage more people into the town centre and support local businesses. The move is being funded as a part of a £615,000 investment into town centre regeneration and the local economy from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, part of the government's Levelling Up authority said the free parking was expected to be introduced in all council-owned car parks on 1 August. Bill Cullen, interim head of paid service at West Lindsey District Council, said: "This scheme is about making it simpler and more attractive for people to enjoy what Gainsborough has to offer. "It is a practical step to support local businesses and continue the regeneration of the town centre."Mr Cullen said the impact of the free parking would be monitored and the council would use feedback to inform future plans. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
BBC News
a day ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Plan to 'transform' Ascot approved despite parking concerns
A key planning document setting out a vision to "transform" a town has been approved - despite concerns from residents over parking and plan, which proposes a scheme to turn Ascot into a "vibrant, sustainable and well-connected town centre", is designed to support a pre-existing local was approved by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead's cabinet at a meeting on Tuesday. Some of those opposed to the plan spoke at the meeting, including one resident who said the proposals would be a "rough deal" for local people. The council said the document would help guide future development and make suggestions for improvements in the centre of Ascot - including better pedestrian crossings and street Julian Sharpe said the plan aimed to "deliver a world-class village centre for the new community in Ascot." 'No-go area' More than 500 people responded to a public consultation on the scheme, with many questioning its lack of parking Tomlinson said: "Parking is critical to the lifeblood of this high street. If parking spaces are not properly allocated, I cannot see how the plan to regenerate the high street will succeed."It will become a no-go area for local people and the only people benefiting from its implementations would be those living in the new houses," she resident, Martin Richardson, questioned the removal of cycle lanes from the final proposal. "This isn't just disappointing, it's deeply problematic," he said. Responding to the concerns about parking, councillor Adam Bermange said the issue was "both a blessing and a curse"."We have got quite a lot of off-street parking available but nearly all of that is provided at the discretion of the Windsor authority and the Crown Estate," he saidMr Bermange, who is the cabinet member for planning, added that cycle lanes had been removed from the proposal following the public consultation. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Date set for first stage of Walsall's £1.5bn revamp
Work on a major part of a £1.5bn project to regenerate a town centre is set to get underway at the start of 2026. The Town Centre Connected Gateway will see Walsall's Saddlers Centre overhauled and a clearer link created between the rail and bus work on the shopping centre is set to be completed this autumn before more extensive renovation work will begin at the start of next year. A spokesperson for Walsall Council said the project would help diversify the town centre, moving away from it having a focus on retail. The plans will see Park Street opened up, creating a clear sight-line from the railway station entrance through to the bus station, they greenery will be planted, walkways will be resurfaced and the Saddlers Centre will be revamped into a light, modern and welcoming space, under the plans. The deputy leader of the authority, Adrian Andrew, said: "What we need to do is change our town centre because people aren't just coming to town centre to shop for retail. "So we've got to bring leisure, we've got to bring education and other reason for people to come into the town centre."We're working with our partners and the community to build a better future for Walsall town centre where people feel safe, happy and healthy and where there are ample opportunities to live, work and spend time."According to the council, Walsall College is planning to take on the former Marks and Spencer store to bring a brand new adult learning facility into the town authority is also working with the Canal and River Trust to improve the canal basin in the town to encourage boaters and make better use of the waterfront area. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Whitehaven residents asked for views on town's new masterplan
Residents of a town are being asked for their views on how their area should grow and living in Whitehaven in Cumbria are being asked for their opinions on a new masterplan being drawn up by Cumberland council's deputy leader Emma Williamson said a drop-in event was "just the beginning of a longer conversation" about the town's will be held on 5 August at the United Reform Church in James Street between 14:00 and 19:00 BST, during which people can offer feedback. "Whether you are a local resident, worker, business owner or visitor, we want to understand what you feel Whitehaven town centre needs to make it a better place to live, work, shop and visit," she said."We want to build on the positive steps already taken to improve the town centre and we're putting in place a clear timeline to turn local priorities into action."The council said since it was established in 2023, it had invested more than £2.45m in Whitehaven. The masterplan will focus on three areas - energising the harbour, enhancing the public realm, and revitalising the historic also aims to boost economic growth, improve transport and redevelop heritage assets, particularly on King Street. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Scarborough Brunswick Centre closure date confirmed for refurb
A shopping centre in Scarborough will officially close for its revamp into a "vibrant new town centre destination" in September, its owners have Brunswick Centre was bought by a developer in 2021 after a decline in footfall, and plans for its transformation include building an Odeon cinema and new food court at the Scarborough Group International (SGI) said the venue would close to the public on 17 September before redevelopment work began in the autumn. An SGI spokesperson said: "This is about more than buildings. It's about reimagining the heart of the town and creating a place where people want to spend time." The plans for the centre were officially approved in 2023, with the cinema expected to take up to 29,060 sq ft (2,700 sq m) of the Brunswick's almost 150,690 sq ft (14,000 sq m) of space. 'Much-needed transformation' Mark Jackson, project lead, said: "The closure of Brunswick is a major step forward, not just for the project, but for the wider regeneration of Scarborough. "While change can be disruptive in the short term, this marks the start of a much-needed transformation that will help the town centre match the strength of its visitor appeal." The seaside town attracted more than 23 million visits a year and "outperforms major cities in dwell time and year-round tourism", Mr Jackson well as the cinema, the scheme is expected to see the redevelopment of the interior and exterior of the building, a multi-storey car park, refurbished shop fronts along Westborough and the opening of the facade with large glass panels to allow in more natural light, according to the the Local Democracy Reporting Service.A North Yorkshire Council spokesperson said the project could help "uplift the whole area".They added: "It's very obvious when you visit Scarborough, particularly that part of the town, what a key role this building could hold in the revitalisation of this part of Scarborough."Several businesses which previously occupied spaces in the shopping centre, including The Fragrance Shop, Holland & Barrett, Toyland and Nomination, have relocated within Scarborough, while Next relocated to a larger store on Seamer Road after failing to agree a long-term lease with the current owners. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
