£1.5m Funding Allocated To Regenerate Two Ashfield Towns

Kirkby and Sutton town centres are to benefit from redevelopment schemes funded by a £1.5 million cash boost via the accelerated Towns Fund.

Ashfield District Council said the money must be split equally between the two towns by the end of March 2021, and has been working to finalise a list of projects to regenerate the areas.

These include commercial property purchase in both Kirkby and Sutton for future conversion for residential and commercial use and additional funding for a planned new play area at Sorrel Drive in Kirkby.

Vacant retail units on Kirkby High Street are to be refurbished to create a small-scale indoor market, while cycling and walking improvements will boost access to employment areas in the town.

A portion of the money will also be contributed to the £1.4m development at Portland College, Sutton for a sports and cultural facility.


Sutton Councillor Samantha Deakin has welcomed the funding. She said: "This first stage of funding is a fantastic step forward with our plans for Kirkby and Sutton, which we have been working tirelessly over. This is great news for Sutton in particular, we will be able to make a real difference with this funding. I want to thank all the Council Officers, Council Members, the Discover Ashfield board and our partners for all their hard work and dedication over the past year."

Cllr Matthew Relf, Portfolio Holder for Place, Planning and Regeneration commented: "We are working closely with residents and our partners to develop plans for the main Towns Fund submission for up to £50m, which will be made in January next year. We are developing a wide range of exciting projects to bring much needed jobs and new attractions to the District."

Martin Rigley, Chair of the Discover Ashfield Board, added: "We are so pleased to receive this funding. The Discover Ashfield board have been working with the Council and partners to ensure that this money will be spent where it is most needed. Discover Ashfield is about promoting Ashfield in the most positive way, pushing for investment and celebrating our heritage and all that is great about living, working and visiting Ashfield. This funding will start to make our plans a reality."