Latest news with #DewsburyBlueprint
Daily Mirror
29-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
'Declining' UK town set for tourist boom as £22.5m revamp takes step forward
A 'rundown' UK town that locals say has 'gone downhill' has been granted planning permission for two major upgrades in what has been described as a 'huge milestone' A tiny 'rundown' town that has grappled with its reputation for years is slated for a major transformation to the tune of £22.5 million. Conveniently located between Leeds and Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, Dewsbury boasts a rich historical heritage - visible with its impressive Victorian-era architecture and parish church. While some may consider the region charming and under-appreciated - locals say Dewsbury has rapidly gone downhill. Branded a ' ghost town ' due to its failing high-street and struggling market, residents have even gone as far as warning Brits not to visit. "We have lost all of our independent shops - there are no small independents anymore," Richard Burns, who has been trading on the town's market for more than 60 years, told Yorkshire Live. "If you look at this side of town (by the market), it is basically all takeaways. There's nothing to draw people into Dewsbury. If you come on a day when the market isn't open, there's no one walking around the town. Talks of regenerating the town have been in the air since 2018, casting doubt on whether they'll ever come to fruition. However, last week (Tuesday, June 17) Kirklees Council announced planning permission had been granted for two key projects within the Dewsbury Blueprint - a 10-year plan that aims to bolster the attractiveness and accessibility of the town. This consists of creating a new town park, which will be the largest green space within the centre - and is set to feature a dedicated outdoor area for children to 'safely play and socialise'. "The approved plans include lots of open green spaces, seating and a substantial, partially enclosed play area, which will benefit from lots of interesting features for children of all ages to engage with and enjoy," Kirklees Council said. "The plans also allow for potential water features, which could provide both a relaxing element for those enjoying the park and an interactive feature for the play area. There will also be an opportunity to include more art, with involvement from the local community." Dewsbury Market will also get a huge upgrade, with new demountable stalls that will allow for both an outdoor market area and a 'flexible space to support events'. The indoor market will also be kitted out for a 'variety' of different markets and events, while maintaining the building's 'beautiful historic structure and character'. "Now accepted, the plans for Dewsbury Market will create a more varied, day-to-night offering in Dewsbury town centre," Kirklees Council added. "We aim to continue and improve the traditional market offering, whilst at the same time creating more areas for eating, drinking, socialising and events, giving people as many reasons as possible to visit Dewsbury." Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance & Regeneration, hailed the announcement - stating it is an 'incredibly exciting time' for the town. "Once we unveiled our updated plans for Dewsbury Market, the adjoining park was very much the missing piece," he added. "These are both aspects of the town we know local people greatly care about, and they have a huge part to play in Dewsbury's future. This approved planning application marries these two key elements within our Dewsbury Blueprint, and shows how different this part of town is going to look within the next few years – not even taking into account the amount of work we're doing elsewhere in the town centre." Keith Ramsay, Chair of the Dewsbury Neighbourhood Board, also welcomed the planning permission approval, describing it as a 'huge milestone' for both Debwsbury Market and the new town park. "These are plans that will truly see Dewsbury town centre brought back to life, supporting the soon-to-reopen arcade and other town centre businesses, and cementing all we're doing to future-proof Dewsbury's heritage as a traditional market town – whilst creating a town centre that can thrive for future generations," he said. Speaking to the Mirror, Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance & Regeneration confirmed the estimated costs for both the revamped market and town park is around £22.5 million. "That figure is made up of money from the government's Towns Fund, which is aimed at regenerating town centres up and down the country, and our own capital funding," he added. When asked when the works will commence, Cllr Turner stated: "We're currently working closely with traders to discuss next steps. We'll soon be moving forward with procuring a contractor to complete the work, after which we'll be able to provide a further, more detailed update which includes both costs and timelines."
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Work starts on £23m transformation of bus station
Work has started on a £23m project to modernise Dewsbury bus station. The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) said the revamp would include an improved waiting area, better real-time information displays and accessible toilets. The project, which is being delivered in partnership with Kirklees Council, is due to be completed in the summer of 2027. Tracy Brabin, the mayor of West Yorkshire, said: "Encouraging more people to use the bus helps towards reducing congestion, improving air quality and tackling the climate emergency." The new-look station is set to feature a "living roof" covered in plants, as well as cycle parking and solar panels. Funding for the scheme is being provided from the government's Transforming Cities Fund. WYCA said there would be "minimum disruption" during the first phase of work, with some changes to bus stands within the existing station already in place. Councillor Moses Crook, the deputy leader of Kirklees Council, said: "These new facilities will make travelling by public transport a more attractive option." The council said the project would play a key part in a wider Dewsbury Blueprint to increase footfall by making the town centre more attractive and accessible. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Town's library to be moved to new site Bus station's £14m revamp plans revealed Three bus stations to be revamped at cost of £28m West Yorkshire Combined Authority Kirklees Council
BBC News
10-03-2025
- BBC News
Work starts on £23m Dewsbury bus station transformation
Work has started on a £23m project to modernise Dewsbury bus West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) said the revamp would include an improved waiting area, better real-time information displays and accessible project, which is being delivered in partnership with Kirklees Council, is due to be completed in the summer of Brabin, the mayor of West Yorkshire, said: "Encouraging more people to use the bus helps towards reducing congestion, improving air quality and tackling the climate emergency." The new-look station is set to feature a "living roof" covered in plants, as well as cycle parking and solar panels. 'Attractive option' Funding for the scheme is being provided from the government's Transforming Cities said there would be "minimum disruption" during the first phase of work, with some changes to bus stands within the existing station already in Moses Crook, the deputy leader of Kirklees Council, said: "These new facilities will make travelling by public transport a more attractive option."The council said the project would play a key part in a wider Dewsbury Blueprint to increase footfall by making the town centre more attractive and accessible. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
