TAMESIDE Council is bidding for £35 million of Government money that would help transform Stalybridge and Denton town centres.
The authority hopes to get the full £20 million, which is got from the Levelling Up Fund for Ashton, to carry out work in its neighbour.
A bid, which has to be submitted by July 6, is focused enabling infrastructure to bring forward vacant sites for redevelopment, public realm and active travel improvements.
Also involved are the delivery of the Stalybridge ‘Cultural Quarter’ at the Civic Hall and Astley Cheetham Art Gallery.
Among plans are £9.2 million worth of remediation and re-provision of existing surface car parking on brownfield land, which the council says, ‘unlocks the sites for future residential development and helps to facilitate further private sector investment.’
Also proposed is £8 million of public realm improvements, improved pedestrian and cycle routes and access to public transport.
Repair works to the Civic Hall – particularly its roof – would cost £1.5 million while it is also hopes £1.3 million of work can be done at Astley Cheetham Art Gallery to enhance the provision and accessibility of the art gallery and library.
A report to the authority’s executive cabinet states: “This will help the town centre to reach its full potential and deliver further comprehensive regeneration, attracting additional investment.
“The council has identified Stalybridge town centre as one of its priority areas to deliver the objectives of the Tameside Inclusive Growth Strategy 2021-26 in making our town centres hubs for living, culture, employment and services supporting a sustainable retail sector.
“A bid to the fund has been prepared for Stalybridge town centre in the context of an emerging wider strategic vision for the town, consistent with the council’s emerging Tameside Town Centres Framework, supporting existing and planned investment.
“This will in turn help to deliver a catalytic economic and social impact to the local community.
“The bid provides a significant opportunity as part of a comprehensive emerging vision for Stalybridge, which will seek to capitalise on and develop further the growing evening economy in the town centre and further explore the full potential of Council assets, such as the Town Hall, to provide a wider mix of uses.
“If successful, the bid would provide a significant financial contribution to Stalybridge Town Centre and help to further accelerate its ongoing regeneration.”
Across Tameside in Denton, £15.5 million is wanted to build on what the council sees as, ‘significant investment in recent years, including delivery of the Tameside Wellness Centre, new housing development and the growth of the evening economy.’
However, it admits: “Despite this investment, the town centre is being impacted by national market trends in the retail sector, increasing cost pressures on businesses, the poor condition and/or underutilisation of prominent buildings, varying quality of public realm and a disconnection between key assets.”
Highlights of that submission include further capital investment being sought for Festival Hall and Denton Town Hall to provide enabling infrastructure that makes best use of the council’s estate.
That would see £2 million going towards improvements to Festival Hall to enable relocation of further council services into Denton town centre and creation of a ‘neighbourhood hub’.
A further £1 million would go towards improving Denton Town Hall so it can be used more in future.
And the report adds: “If successful, the bid would provide a significant financial contribution to Denton town centre.”