Mansfield and Warsop MP Ben Bradley has this morning welcomed Government’s announcement that Mansfield’s bid to the Levelling Up Fund has been granted in full. This means £20 million has been awarded from the fund for the redevelopment of Mansfield town centre.
The Levelling Up Fund is targeted towards places with the most significant needs in terms of economic recovery, regeneration and growth and improved transport and connectivity. Mansfield was ranked at level one out of three by the Government, putting it amongst those areas with the greatest need.
The plans submitted for the improvement of Mansfield town centre focus on the redevelopment of the old Beales Department Store into a hub for educational, enterprise and other public services. Under the current plans there will also be space developed for private enterprise, helping to attract new businesses and shops into the new development. Several organisations have already expressed an interest in the development such as Vision West Nottinghamshire College, Nottingham Trent University, NHS health partners, Nottinghamshire County Council and many others.
The redevelopment of Beales will be the catalyst for increased footfall in Mansfield town centre, encouraging further private investment into the town and a rejuvenation of the town to its former glory as a hub for activity and social life in the area.
Ben was quoted as saying:
‘I am over the moon to see that Mansfield’s bid to the Levelling Up Fund has been granted in full by government. This means we now have access to the £20 million we needed to redevelop our town centre into something we can all be proud of.’
‘The potential for the old Beales building to be developed and brought back into use has long been talked about and this money from government means these plans can finally become reality and we can get construction started. If Beales is properly utilised it can prove to be that key draw factor we need to bring people and businesses back into our town centre, as well as providing vital services to local people.’
‘Since this bid was submitted I have been raising it almost non-stop with government and emphasising how key this bid is to the levelling up agenda in Mansfield. As such, I am really happy to see our bid approved and to have helped bring an extra £20 million to Mansfield. I look forward now to working with Mansfield District Council and seeing the new development start to take place.’
