Sutton to get £6 million Government funding to revitalise town centre

The town will receive £6,279,872 from the Future High Streets Fund, an initiative set up to transform town centres into vibrant places to live, work and shop, as well as creating jobs.

The provisional funding will now be used to finalise the plans for the town, and is part of an £830 million package announced by the Government.

Ashfield District Council submitted the bid for funding, with their proposals aimed at providing improved pedestrian and public transport links into the town, investment in empty buildings and an improved offer within the town centre.

Plans include creating new places for eating out and a live music, cinema and theatre venue at Sutton Academy. A pop-up food market at Fox Street, with additional car parking and high quality apartments for town centre living are also included in the proposals.

Announcing the funding, Communities Secretary 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 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.”

The Future High Streets Funding is in addition to a further £25 million awarded to Sutton through the Government’s Towns Fund initiative.

As part of that funding bid, Ashfield District Council has been working with the Discover Ashfield board to prepare a Town Investment Plan.

This includes projects to create new jobs, sports and leisure facilities and great places to visit as well as a network of off-road walking and cycling routes.