Scunthorpe town centre will benefit from a huge £10.7m to redevelop the former market site in the heart of the town centre.
North Lincolnshire Council submitted a bid for the future of Scunthorpe’s High Street, revealing a radical redevelopment plan for the former market in August. The cash will be used to transform the heart of the town centre.
The project will see the former market site completely redeveloped to include business space, a high-end, 40 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, with initial proposals including 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.
It comes as part of a major boost for local high streets with up to £830m from the Future High Streets Fund to invested in 72 areas across England.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick made the announcement today, with the project designed to help areas transform high streets into vibrant hubs for future generations, protecting and creating thousands of jobs.
Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said:
“It is fantastic to hear that even more Government cash has been confirmed for Scunthorpe and North Lincolnshire. We worked closely with our MPs Holly Mumby-Croft and Andrew Percy on securing this funding that will now provide a new future for the old market site. Also we still have news on the £25m bid for towns fund yet to come.
“It has been a tough year and there’s still a way to go, even with the Covid-19 vaccine being rolled out. We’ve been dealing with unprecedented challenges, however our residents have remained strong and we are determined to bounce back.
“The Government cash, in grants for businesses, furlough payments to thousands of people and direct support for the most vulnerable people – including children and young people – is now worth more than £100m in our area.
“That cash has been to support jobs and businesses, this latest funding is about regrowing the economy through 2021 and beyond.
“The news of a Brexit deal is positive for our area, as we take back control of our destiny. We will continue to regenerate our area, creating jobs, improving skills and securing a positive future for our local people.”
Communities Secretary, the Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, said:
“The year ahead will be a big one for the high street as it seeks to recover, adapt and evolve as a result of the pandemic. Today’s £830 million investment from the Future High Streets Fund is one of many ways the Government is working to help our much-loved town centres get through this and prosper into the future.
“The role of the high street has always evolved. We want to support that change and make sure that they are the beating heart of their local community – with high quality housing and leisure in addition to shops and restaurants.
“This investment will help us build back better and make town centres a more attractive place to live, work and visit.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, said:
“We are supporting our high streets to get through this pandemic through business grants, paying people’s wages and tax deferrals.
“The Future High Streets Fund will help areas bounce back through regeneration projects that level up opportunities and create jobs right across the country.”
The Future High Streets Fund was launched in December 2018 and is a key part of the Government’s plan to renew and reshape town centres – making them a more attractive place to live, work and visit.
