Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Deal projects

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) allocated some extra funding to every town selected to work towards a Town Deal. The amount depended on their population size. Newcastle-under-Lyme received £1m.

The early investment was intended to kick-start activity in towns and high streets across the country. This ensured that local people could see and feel the benefit as soon as possible. Funded projects had to be paid for by 31 March 2021.

The Town Deal Board considered and approved the proposed projects on 23 July 2020. Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council submitted details of the proposals to MHCLG on 11 August 2020.

Package 1: land and property acquisition and demolition

This package comprises four projects:

• revitalising Newcastle Town Centre through demolition of the former Zanzibar nightclub which had been vacant for approximately 16 years and is in a prominent position on the A52 - a key route into Newcastle town centre. The site is owned by Aspire Housing who have plans to redevelop the site for housing as well as small scale business units

• kick starting housing development in Knutton with the purchase and demolition of a vacant and derelict building to clear the way for new homes to be built in line with the Knutton Village Masterplan

• providing routes to training and employment - Re-purposing a derelict shop unit in Lancaster Building to provide a friendly and accessible employment and support service in Newcastle town centre

• repurposing space at the Guildhall to remove an old reception desk to create more open flexible space and convert old customer service desks into useable offices alongside decorating the building to freshen up its appearance.

Package 2: addressing connectivity and safety challenges

This package comprises three projects:

• creating safer routes into the town centre through installation of CCTV, improved lighting and decorative tiling in subways around the town centre starting with the Grosvenor Roundabout subways

• enhancements to the market area through the installation of lighting on market stalls to brighten the trading area and a new electricity power supply at lower High Street to support the use of this area for activities and events

• public WiFi - expanding town centre WiFi coverage to key parts of the town centre that were outside of existing coverage such as Merrial Street, Corporation Street, Liverpool Road and Ryecroft which is the focal point of Newcastle-Under-Lyme’s Future High Street Fund bid