A town described as a ‘vanguard’ for change has moved forward with a vision for its town centre.
Heywood, on the border of Rochdale and Bury, will benefit from £20m of Towns Funding to rejuvenate its key buildings and high street over the next few years.
The next steps will be to decide how the money should be spent, a decision which rests with the Heywood Town Board.
The first stages are already taking shape with the renovation of Heywood Civic Centre, which is getting a new bar, seating, lighting and sound systems.
Peine Square, at the foot of the civic centre, is getting new seating, footpaths, improved gardens and a flexible event space.
Government minister for local growth Alex Norris MP visited the area this week and praised the area’s speedy submission to the government – for which he regarded the town as a ‘vanguard’ among the other 55 towns who also received the same funding last year.
Heywood and Middleton North MP Elsie Blundell said: “I am proud of Heywood and everything it has to offer. Heywood has an opportunity – with Labour Government support – to invest in itself and shape its own future. Having the Minister here shows we can move towns like ours up the Government Agenda and shape the place we live in.
“I want to thank Alex for responding to my invitation, coming to the town and meeting people from Heywood, who believe in this place’s Heywood’s future.”
The minister later went on to join Rochdale’s MP Paul Waugh for a tour of the regeneration projects in the borough’s civic town and Littleborough. The Station Gateway site in central Rochdale and Hare Hill House in Littleborough – two major local projects that have received a combined total of over £20 million in government investment.
In Rochdale, Mr Norris saw plans for new social housing and a new public park, and improvements to infrastructure around the station gateway. In Littleborough, he met with volunteers Iain Bowden and Nick Andrews to hear more about the history of Hare Hill House and its thriving role as a space for local community groups, charities, and events.
The funding awarded by the government will secure the long-term future of the building – keeping it open and in use for generations to come.
Speaking after the visit, Mr Waugh said: “It was great to welcome Alex to Rochdale and Littleborough and show him the impact of the funding we’ve secured. From new homes and green space at Station Gardens to the transformation of Hare Hill House by brilliant local volunteers, this is regeneration driven by community priorities.
“I’ve fought hard to get these funds over the line, and I’m delighted to see the results taking shape.”
During the visit, the Minister remarked that it was excellent to see a council with shovel-ready projects, a clear forward plan, and a strong ambition to bring in as much funding locally as possible.
