Latest news with #towncentre
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Bedford's St Paul's Square closes for five weeks for regeneration
Part of a town centre square will be closed for over a month as part of a £4m renovation project. The south side of St Paul's Square in Bedford is shut to all vehicles until Friday 29 August so drainage and resurfacing work can take place.A closure will be in place from the junction with the High Street to Horne Lane as part of "revitalisation" work, Bedford Borough Council councillor Andrea Spice said there would be "some short-term disruption" that the council was working to minimise. The project includes replacing paving slabs and kerbs, widening pedestrian walkways and creating a space for outdoor events, with funds coming through the Bedford Town Deal, which has seen £22.6m worth of government investment in the town. Samantha Laycock, chairman of the Bedford Town Deal Board, said it was part of "our vision to transform Bedford town centre into a more attractive, accessible, and people-focused place". "The improvements to St Paul's Square will not only enhance the look and feel of this historic space but also support local businesses and encourage more people to spend time in the town."Spice, portfolio holder for economic growth, planning and prosperity, said: "While this phase of the project involves some short-term disruption, we're doing everything we can to minimise the impact and make sure people are kept informed throughout the works."Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times, the authority said. Traffic approaching from the High Street will be diverted via St Mary's Street, St John's Street, Kingsway, Cauldwell Street and Prebend StreetTraffic approaching from Cauldwell Street will be diverted either via Prebend Street or via St Mary's Street, The Embankment, Newnham Street, St Cuthberts Street, St Peter's Street, Dame Alice Street to Bromham RoadAccess for residents and businesses will be via River Street and Horne LaneBus services travelling from south of the river, will be diverted via Prebend Street, Midland Road and Greyfriars to the bus stationSouthbound bus services will operate as normal through St Paul's SquareNorthbound bus stops will not be in use outside Borough Hall, Bedford College and Horne Lane Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Dumfries town board boss steps down with immediate effect
The man leading a board set up to help spend £20m to regenerate a Scottish town centre is stepping down with immediate Nicoll took up the role in Dumfries last year after it emerged as one of seven "overlooked" towns around the country in line for the said it had not been an easy decision to step down but, due to "upcoming changes" to his professional priorities, he could not give the time to the position he Nicoll said that as a "born and bred Doonhamer" it had been "one of the most meaningful and rewarding roles" he had ever had. The funding was announced in 2023 by the then prime minister Rishi Sunak to be put "in the hands of local people" to revitalise their high - along with Greenock, Irvine, Kilmarnock, Coatbridge, Clydebank and Elgin - was on the support was subsequently confirmed by the new Labour government and Mr Nicoll had been leading efforts to invest the funds - to be delivered over a 10-year he said he was no longer in a position to lead the town board set up as part of the investment process. 'Extremely proud' He said he was "incredibly proud" of what the board had achieved in terms of a regeneration strategy and "meaningful engagement" with others."We've begun building something truly unique and this is something that I am extremely proud of - a model unlike any other town board in the country," he said."One that is independent, community-led, and free from political interference."It's a model rooted firmly in the voice and will of the people of Dumfries."He highlighted Dumfries Shine - a community clean-up initiative - as one example that "meaningful, local-led change" was possible."My personal ethos has always been that you are either fully in or respectfully out," he added."With upcoming changes in my professional priorities, I do not want to reach a point where I'm missing meetings or limiting my contribution."The people of Dumfries deserve full commitment; nothing less."He said he would support his replacement and urged whoever it was to reflect the needs of local people not the agenda of any political organisation.
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Scaffolding installed to make derelict Wem pub safe
Scaffolding has been installed on a building that a council says is causing "blight" to a town White Horse Hotel in Wem was bought by Shropshire Council in 2023 after standing derelict for a number of years.A conditions and options assessment for the building identified movement in part of the rear of the building, caused by a longstanding authority said the side alley would open to pedestrians after the scaffolding has been installed, which will make the building safe. "This is a long-standing problem building in Wem that residents have been concerned about for many years," said Roger Evans, cabinet member for finance."The council is now looking for a long-term solution for it, and this latest work to put scaffolding in place is part of us ensuring it remains safe and the public is protected."Alan Holford, councillor for Wem, added: "Councillors are working with officers to explore funding opportunities for a scheme to repurpose this listed building and bring it back into use.""We'd also like to thank residents for attending the engagement event in the library back in March and providing their views on the options that our architects have proposed." Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
West Northamptonshire Council launches a draft masterplan
People living and working in a town that is undergoing significant regeneration were being asked to help shape the next 15 years of its development.A town centre masterplan has been drafted for Northampton, and the council wanted businesses, residents and community groups to read it and share their Northamptonshire Council has come up with six aims, including revitalising the riverside, restoring heritage buildings, and providing better business leader James Petter said: "This masterplan is more than just buildings and plans, it's about creating a town centre that reflects the pride, priorities and everyday lives of the people who call Northampton home." He said it was "a once-in-a-generation chance to help shape the future of your town centre".He added: "Whether you live, work, study or simply spend time in Northampton, this is your opportunity to have a real say. Share your ideas. Tell us what matters." Several large regeneration projects were already lined up for Northampton's town centre, such as the newly revitalised Market Square, plans to regenerate Greyfriars, the redevelopment of former M&S and BHS stores, and the new Castle council said the draft masterplan will "build on this momentum" and help to "ensure future investment is focused on the right places".Its priorities also included creating a walkable, better-connected town, new homes and neighbourhoods that support town centre living, and a cultural and social for a range of housing on currently underused or vacant sites, including homes for families, older people and young professionals, were also identified. The council has launched a new website where people can fill in a short survey and view the proposals. The portal will close on Sunday, 10 August, and the authority said all feedback will help to shape the final masterplan, which will be published later this said: "Don't miss out. This is your town, your future, and your chance to be part of something truly transformative." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Stockton and Yarm parking review welcomed by business chief
A business leader has welcomed a review of town centre parking hour's free parking in Yarm and Stockton was removed by the local council earlier this year and replaced with a £1.50 has been branded "the wrong decision" by Paddy Morton, manager of a family business on Yarm High Street and chairman of the Yarm Business Borough Council said it was now looking to analyse the measure to get an understanding of what it had done to people's shopping habits. When the charge was introduced in February, the local authority said it was needed to cover the costs of maintaining local businesses said it has driven away customers and they have called for it to be scrapped. 'Full picture' needed Mr Morton described its implementation as a "knee-jerk decision", adding: "There was no consultation and no advice was taken."I think the first reaction [to the review] is to welcome the fact that they want to engage with town centre businesses and collect proper data, which should have been what happened in the first place."The council said it had monitored the impact and "provisional data" showed footfall in Yarm and Stockton "was higher every month than it was in 2024 and 2023".Cabinet members will meet on Thursday to decide the scope of the review and consider the type of data to be collected, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Paul Rowling, cabinet member for resources and transport, said: "While initial data collected in the first four months is showing that footfall is up in our town centres, we want to delve deeper and analyse the information and trends. "This will allow us to get the full picture of what removing the first hour of free parking has done to change residents and visitors' habits and how this may be affecting our town centre businesses."We also want to engage with those affected and listen to what they have to say." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
