Shoppers in Hucknall are “disappointed” an announcement on £11m of Levelling Up Funding to improve the town has been delayed. Residents are particularly concerned about the impact it could have on the town's market, which was one of the projects earmarked for work in the big.
When Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister , second-round bids of the Levelling Up Funding were to be announced by the end of this year. Now, a decision will not be made until the end of January 2023.
The announcement on the outcome of the bid was due this week. The funding would be used to improve the market, roads and sports facilities in the town centre. A government spokesperson had previously said it wanted time to "carefully consider" all the bids received and that up to £2.1 billion would eventually be given out across the country in this funding round.
READ MORE: Fear Bulwell town centre could 'cease to exist' if £20m bid is not successful
Sheila Reardon, 70 is retired and from Hucknall. She said: “The market...is not like how it used to be. Out of work on a Friday, people would go to the market and there would be clothes stores and all sorts.
“Now the market’s different and there are less stores. Hucknall needs no more cafes, barbers and charity shops, I now travel into Nottingham to go shopping.”
Alan Thompson, 44, works in a warehouse. Originally from Hucknall, he said: “The town centre does need investment but it isn’t too bad compared to places like Bulwell and Stapleford.
“I think that a lot of our shops are repetitive, it’s the same kinds of businesses that are popping up and that market has gone downhill, big time. A delay in any kind of funding is never good but it would be even worse if we get no funding at all so next year hopefully the ball gets rolling for positive changes to be made.”
Dom Dickinson, 54, a teacher from the town, added: “I think the town centre has had a lot of money invested in it, the high street has a lot of life.
“Funding for sports facilities is important as it could help prevent key issues in adults and children's health. In Hucknall, it’s mostly barbers and hairdressers although we do have a local butcher and baker.”
Dom described the delay in the funding as “disappointing” for a town that has a sense of community. Ashfield District council received a total of £62m as part of a Towns Fund investment from the Government to improve facilities in Sutton and Kirkby.
Janet Archer, 65, who is now retired, said: “The town does need improvements, especially in the market, there are a lot of empty units as well as fully functioning shops.
“I think a delay in a decision for the funding isn’t surprising but after a year of shops closing left right and centre something needs to be done to start bringing people back to the high street and not shopping online.”
The Levelling Up funding delay will also impact a major bid in Nottingham, where millions of pounds would be spent on projects including £20m to improve Bulwell and for work on the Broadmarsh.
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