Discover Ashfield board has big plans for Government's Towns Fund cash

The Discover Ashfield board has met again to further discuss its proposed submission to the Towns Fund for Kirkby and Sutton.
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As part of the fund scheme, both Kirkby and Sutton could receive up to £25 million each to fund plans to create thriving and revitalised town centres, with a wide range of services and retail on offer, a vibrant night-time economy and enhanced leisure offer.

Plans will be submitted in January, and at the board, which includes a wide range of stakeholders including business, education, health, transport, other councils and elected councillors, the exciting proposals were discussed in detail.

Proposed projects include:

Kirkby and Sutton could get up to £25 million each of investmentKirkby and Sutton could get up to £25 million each of investment
Kirkby and Sutton could get up to £25 million each of investment
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Working with the Sutton Community Academy on a major renovation of their theatre so that it becomes a new public facing community theatre and cinema.

A maker space that will offer access to tools and work spaces so that those lacking the space or funds at home will be able to make anything they like.

Working with Inspire, Sutton Community Academy and Vision West Notts on a new joint construction skills centre and civil engineering centre.

Planning a new gateway building with business hub, transport interchange and start-up industrial units around Kirkby station.

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Creating a new indoor market as part of a range of new developments in Kirkby town centre.

Expanding sports hubs at Sutton Lawn and Kingsway Park and developing a new leisure offering at Kings Mill Reservoir to allow more people to try watersports.

Coun Matthew Relf, cabinet member for place, planning and regeneration at Ashfield District Council, said: “The planned automated distribution and manufacturing centre is a project that will have an impact on the whole of the East Midlands and possibly nationally.

"The construction centre and civil engineering centre are both projects that will have benefits that stretch out beyond Ashfield’s borders to neighbouring authorities,

"The proposed projects will have a real impact on further developing Kirkby and Sutton town centres as thriving hubs, and improve our already excellent leisure offerings.”