Funding secured for Bolsover town centre regeneration

Bolsover in Derbyshire will receive £15m in government funding to make changes to its town centre.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt made the announcement in the Autumn Budget on Wednesday.

Bolsover District Council said the funding will be used for investment in 5G connectivity, upgrades to shop fronts and improvements to signage, pavements and street furniture.

Work is due to get under way in early 2024.

The wider project includes regeneration and the purchase of vacant town centre retail units to create spaces for new businesses or the expansion of existing firms.

Councillors said the shop front improvement scheme would "improve the appearance of the town and enhance the retail offer".

Changes will also be made to pavements, signs and street furniture in a bid to better connect the town to Bolsover Castle.

The money will also be used to invest in 5G technology and install fibre optic in the town centre to increase wi-fi speeds. The upgrade will also help to deliver real-time bus information.

Council leader Steve Fritchley said: "A significant element of our ambition is to improve the look and feel of the town and ensure the 100,000-plus visitors that go to the castle every year, go into the town centre.

"We need to provide more hospitality, arts and leisure opportunities for people to participate in and enjoy, whilst still providing a high street that offers what people need."

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