Plans have been unveiled for a programme of investment and refurbishment of town centre shops including new frontages to create an attractive new 'independent quarter' in Gainsborough by Conservative-led West Lindsey District Council.
The Council is working together with retail experts Dransfield Properties Ltd – the developers of Marshall’s Yard - on exciting new plans to regenerate the historic Market Street and Market Place areas of the town centre. A Joint Venture company will be formed, which will see both partners investing on an equal basis with the aim of breathing new life into this part of the town, bringing vacant shops back in to use and making them attractive for independent businesses, at affordable rents.
The project will involve refurbishing the shop-fronts to a high standard as well as upgrading the internal space. Conservative Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr. Jeff Summers, said the vision is to create a hub of independent businesses in this part of the town centre.
“We recognise we need to do something to strengthen the appeal of the town. The Association of Town Centre Management regard this type of public and private sector partnership as an innovative way forward to regenerate historic market towns.
“The aim is to seek new tenants to widen the choices of shops, cafes and restaurants in Gainsborough.
“Dransfield Properties have a proven history of regenerating through retail as we have seen with Marshall’s Yard and we hope that our combined experience and funds will help create a sustainable town centre.The council is open for business and will continue to look for innovative ways to work with all stakeholders to create something really new and unique in this part of Gainsborough”
Mr. Mark Dransfield, Managing Director of Dransfield Properties, said:
“We are really pleased to be working with the team at West Lindsey District Council on this project. We pride ourselves on creating strong partnerships to strengthen the towns in which we work.
“This is a key part of the town centre and careful work and investment will create a strong linkage between the market place and Marshall’s Yard.”
Mrs. Eve Fawcett-Moralee, the authority's Strategic Lead for Economic Developments and Neighbourhood explained the Joint Venture Company would continue to position Gainsborough as a retail destination, saying:
“We have produced a heritage masterplan for the town which has directed us to create a grant funding regime. This includes the Gainsborough Growth Fund to facilitate and enable new development through the Masterplan and Gainsborough Growth Programme Delivery Plan. The Gainsborough Growth Fund Retail Scheme is a pilot scheme which has been rolled out to attract independent retailers. £50,000 has been earmarked to help with costs of physical works to premises.
"In addition we are submitting bids to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a Townscape Heritage Initiative scheme for Lord Street and a partnership. The total value of these schemes will be circa £2 million.”
In the meantime, the Conservative-led Council is continuing to promote sites in its ownership including the former Guildhall, Bridge Street and the Baltic Mill through a procurement process which will publicised in the European Journal later this month. This follows the successful INVEST Gainsborough launch in July. To find out more about Invest Gainsborough visit: www.investgainsborough.com
For more information about the funds visit: www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/my-business/gainsborough-growth-fund/