Revival of town gets cash boost
Jun 9 2008 by Ben Guy, The Journal
THE regeneration of a Northumberland town centre has been boosted by the announcement of more than £500,000 funding for an affordable housing and retail scheme.
The plans to create two shops and four flats in the former Clive Brown DIY store in Haltwhistle are seen as an exciting step forward for the town.
The venture is being led by the Haltwhistle Partnership and will cost £525,000.
Partnership chairman Dr Graham Ridley said: “This is an exciting scheme for Haltwhistle and will help to encourage local businesses and residents to view the town as a vibrant place to live and work.
“It also enables us to enhance a key building in the town’s market square in keeping with its unique character.”
The project, which is supported by Northumberland Strategic Partnership (NSP) and funded by One NorthEast, was identified as part of the NSP’s retail distinctiveness plan, which aimed to highlight and accentuate the special features of Northumberland’s market towns. The building is currently empty, and was purchased by the partnership as part of plans to regenerate the area.
The purchase and adaptation of the building is designed to provide the partnership with a regular source of income, reducing its reliability on public funding, as well as improving the town.
Work on the Grade II-listed building will see the ground floor redeveloped into two retail units and one apartment.
The further two floors will host a pair of two-bedroom flats and a one-bedroom apartment, all of which will be put up for affordable renting.
Plans for the scheme also include installing energy efficient features.
Previously owned by a drapery firm, a grocer and most recently, Clive Brown DIY, the building will be fully restored in keeping with its period features, which include sash windows and cast iron fireplaces.
Janice Rose, acting executive director with NSP, said: “Like all of the county’s market towns, Haltwhistle has much to offer in terms of investment and regeneration.
“There has already been significant interest in the project, which is due for completion in summer 2009, from both residents and businesses interested in occupying the units.”
Neil Graham, One NorthEast head of regeneration north, said: “This is an excellent example of a project that will have a far-reaching and positive impact on a community.”
