BOLSOVER: £750K investment in town centre

A total of almost £750,000 has been set aside from Bolsover District Council and Old Bolsover Town Council, Government high street innovation funding, plus £470,232 of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) cash to improve the town’s ‘public realm and infrastructure’.

The project will run until March next year and the money will be used on improvements to the town cenotaph, new seating and signage, plus publicity material to promate Bolsover as a visitor attraction and raise the profile of local businesses, a district council spokesman said.

District council cabinet member for regeneration Coun Alan Tomlinson said, “These are very exciting times for the town and we are delighted to have finally received approval for this funding that will give the town centre a new look and lease of life.

“Bolsover has one thing that many other towns do not – a castle, which has a massive appeal to people, so by working closely with English Heritage and local businesses to tap into this potential and show what else the town has to offer, we can increase the number of customers and visitors to the town.”

Specific funding has been ring-fenced to deliver an events programme during the period, which the council hopes will help bring people into the town centre, as well as a marketing and promotion campaign,

The project will be led and managed by a ‘town team’ which will include representatives from the district and town councils, as well as businesses and members of the local community.

Town trader Chris Christopher told Chad: “It would be great if we could improve the look of the town and make it more welcoming to both residents and visitors.

“Hopefully this is a step in the right direction for Bolsover, encouraging people into the town and supporting the local economy. 

This could be the stepping stone to add a new lease of life to our town.”