Town regeneration

Spalding and Holbeach are to get a cash injection from their local council to enable them to offer more attractive services to increase footfall to the town centres. Thanks to a development fund from South Holland District Council, who have set aside an investment sum of £500,000. This will be used to fund

• a free wifi provision along the high street
• town centre toilet refurbishment, specialist markets
• new seating areas
• and a review of current market provisions

As we mentioned in our blog here, markets have the potential to regenerate a town centre. South Holland District Council are planning to regenerate the town centres to increase footfall to the town centres, to increase spending and investment as to make them the number one places to visit for events, markets and more.

Spalding and Holbeach will benefit from a steering group that will help shape the plans for the towns, including valuable input from local businesses as well as the local community. This type of engagement is exactly the way that new regeneration and business plans should be designed to boost town planning, footfall and investment.

This follows on the back of the government support plan to inject cash into English towns which was awarded towards the end of 2019. Towns are keen to battle against the trend of services moving online, which sees many retail operations having to close their doors because they cannot compete. The commitment to remove the charge of business rates for small businesses in retail premises as revealed in the Chancellors 2020 budget will certainly help. However in order to create a successful outcome, it will be the collaboration between local government, in town planning and regeneration plans as well as with the individual retailers and market stall holders as well.

Find out more about Smarter Society and how we are helping small businesses, market traders and start ups to thrive and build sustainable businesses.