Regeneration

Kirkby in Ashfield is part of the Pride in Place programme (formerly Long-term Plan for Towns/ Plan for Neighbourhoods) and will receive up to £19.5 million in investment, through annual instalments until 2035 or 2036.

The fund aims to support growth by improving both the physical and social infrastructure of communities, delivering tangible improvements to everyday life. This is achieved through collaboration between the Kirkby Town Board and the local authority, resulting in a 10-year plan focused on 3 strategic objectives:

• Thriving places
• Stronger communities
• Taking back control

To learn more, visit the Discover Ashfield website or the Government’s guidance page for the fund:

• website: Discover Ashfield website
• website: Plan for neighbourhoods - GOV.UK

Established in April 2024, the Kirkby Town Board is chaired by Martin Rigley OBE. The board includes representatives from:

• Voluntary and community sector organisations
• Local businesses
• Education providers
• Sports organisations
• The NHS
• Ashfield District Council
• Nottinghamshire County Council
• The Police and Crime Commissioner
• The local MP

Visit the Board page on Discover Ashfield:

• website: The Board - Discover Ashfield

Main responsibilities of the Town Board:

• Identify issues, priorities, and a shared vision for the investment plan, including ongoing community engagement
• Collaborate with the local authority to develop the investment plan
• Oversee project delivery

In 2021, Ashfield District Council secured £62.6 million from the Towns Fund for regeneration projects in Kirkby and Sutton. This funding supports 16 key projects including:

• The ADMC (Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre)
• Portland Square redevelopment
• Construction and Civil Engineering Centres
• Science Discovery Centre and Planetarium at Sherwood Observatory

Although funding was restricted to Kirkby and Sutton, the benefits are being realised across the district.

Investment plan focus areas:

• Business and Education
• Health and Wellbeing
• Visitor Economy
• Greener Ashfield

To learn more, visit the Discover Ashfield Regeneration page:

• website: Regeneration page

Discover Ashfield, the district’s place partnership acts as the Towns Fund Board, the following information can be found on the Discover Ashfield website

website: The Board - Discover Ashfield 

This page includes: 

• Board membership
• Project funding area map
• Additional information

Meeting minutes and agendas are available to request by email.

In 2021, Ashfield District Council secured £6.27 million from the UK Government’s Future High Streets Fund (FHSF) to support regeneration in Sutton in Ashfield town centre. This followed a competitive bidding process, with an original bid of £9.2 million.

Key objectives of the FHSF:

Transform high streets into vibrant places to live, work, and spend time
Support economic growth through improved infrastructure, public spaces, and accessibility
Encourage redevelopment of underused or vacant buildings
Boost footfall and local business activity

For more information, visit the Discover Ashfield website :

website: Portland Square and Fox Street - Discover Ashfield

The UKSPF replaced European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIFs), including the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF), which previously supported job creation, innovation, and skills programmes.

A 3-year programme was delivered from 2022 to 2025 with a funding allocation of £3.2 million.
 
UKSPF enabled a wide range of impactful projects to be delivered across Ashfield between 2022 to 2025. The initiatives enhanced community wellbeing, environmental improvements, cultural investment, skills development, and business support.

For 2025 to 2026, Ashfield District Council was allocated £1.3 million in UKSPF funding from the
East Midlands Combined County Authority.

The 2025 to 2026 programme is focused on the Government’s levelling-up missions:

• Boost productivity, pay, jobs, and living standards by growing the private sector, especially in areas that are lagging
• Spread opportunities and improve public services, particularly where they are weakest
• Restore a sense of community, local pride, and belonging, especially where it has been lost
• Empower local leaders and communities, especially where local agency is lacking

The aim of the UKSPF extension year (2025 to 2026) is to provide a transition from the existing programme to a new, future funding framework, providing “targeted, long-term local growth funding to support regional growth across the UK”. Support from 2026 is due to comprise a new local growth fund, as well as investments in 350 deprived communities.