Newcastle’s town centre progress showcased
Dozens of ‘Staffordshire Ambassadors’ have spent the day in Newcastle seeing for themselves the town’s special mixture of past, present and future.
Visitors were given an overview of the multi-million pound town centre regeneration and took in the work underway at Astley Place, visited the landmark Guildhall, and saw the innovative Keele in Town building on the Ironmarket.
The Staffordshire Ambassador network, operated by We Are Staffordshire, has members promoting the county locally, nationally and internationally as they spread the word alongside their day-to-day work.
Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said:
Staffordshire Ambassadors perform a valuable service promoting the county on their travels.
I’m pleased they’ve been able to see for themselves the improvements that have already been made in the town centre and the three huge regeneration projects that are starting to take shape.”
The Borough Council is working with renowned urban developer Capital&Centric to redefine the town with a mixture of housing, commercial space and an aparthotel at the Ryecroft, Astley Place and the former Midway Car park.
A brand new car 455 space car park has recently opened at the Ryecroft, while McCarthy Stone has received planning approval to build 53 apartments nearby in a residential unit targeted at those over the age of 55.
Work will also include a 3,000 ft2 music venue incorporated into the Old Bull’s Head pub owned by Market Drayton-based Joule’s Brewery, as well as open space linking from Merrial Street to Ironmarket.
Part-funded by money from the Newcastle Town Deal, bid for by the council, Keele in Town, is the University’s new teaching, learning and community space where residents, community groups and businesses can access a wide range of support from staff and students.
Newcastle’s historic market has had nearly £400,000 invested in the area, including refurbishing stalls, putting new, removable ones at the lower end of the High Street, creating parking bays for very short stays, and improving the public space, including the creation of an entertainment and event area.
Simon Tagg added:
We’ve worked hard with partners such as the police and the Newcastle Business Improvement District to clean-up the town centre, reduce anti-social behaviour and make it attractive day and night.”
Martin Murray, Staffordshire County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills said:
Staffordshire is the beating heart of the country, and our mission is to put our county firmly on the global map.
The Ambassador Network, run by We Are Staffordshire, brings organisations together to raise civic pride.
Events like today’s in Newcastle-under-Lyme – which shone a spotlight on the regeneration projects taking place and the vision to transform the town – provide an opportunity to connect all corners of the county and spread positive messages, to ultimately support Staffordshire’s economic growth and prosperity."
The Ambassadors Network is always looking for new members: details at: Get Involved -We Are Staffordshire