The future of Scunthorpe’s High Street is revealed as a radical redevelopment plan for the former market is unveiled.
North Lincolnshire Council has submitted the ambitious proposals as part of the Government’s Future High Streets Fund.
The cash would be used to transform the heart of the town centre and would be on top of the £25m already coming through in the Towns Fund and £1m already announced to kick-start economic renewal.
The project would see the former market site completely redeveloped to include business space, a high-end, 40-room student accommodation development as well as major changes to the public spaces at Church Square and Library Square (outside Scunthorpe Central).
The development will be spread across the southern half of the former market site, fronting directly on to the High Street.
It includes a 1,350 sq m enterprise and innovation hub complete with business space, workshops, meeting rooms, breakout spaces, business development and networking areas. The focus will be on creating space for technology businesses and those in the creative industries.
The three storey building will be equipped with ultrafast broadband and have balcony and terrace areas on the roof designed to encourage collaboration.
A 300 sq m co-working café space will also be created on the ground floor which opens out into the High Street.
The plans would see Church Square and Library Squares further redeveloped to create spaces to provide places to play, exercise and relax along with a dedicated events space for a range of functions, festivals and exhibitions to bringing a buzz to the town centre – including a pop-up mall with independent traders and recognised brands side by side to create a unique shopping destination.
Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “These plans for the High Street are ambitious and radical in equal measure. The Government has already committed £25m to Scunthorpe through the Towns Fund.
“This sustainable development will give residents a number reason to rediscover the town centre. The plan is designed to bring people back into the High Street for retail yes but also as a place to live, to work and to spent their leisure time.
“These proposals will make a huge difference but they are just one component part of the wider development plans which we are leading for our county town.”
Further details about the Future High Streets Fund are available on the Invest in North Lincolnshire website.
