Stalybridge to create 'historic quarter' after winning funding

A new ‘Historic Quarter’ is set to be created in Stalybridge town centre after they were announced as benefactors of part of a £95m fund.

It will mainly comprise of a heritage walk which will be a clearly signposted route from the Railway station, along Market Street and into the heart of the town centre. 

Local residents will also be a big part of the plans - it’s said they’ll be involved in creating public art, events and performances that will fill the new quarter.

It’s hoped that the plans will spark regeneration into the town and bring people back into the centre.

It will be January 2020 before the final amount of funding is known following an agreement on the programme’s design. The North West region in total is getting an £18.7m slice of funding

Stalybridge is just one of 69 towns that are set to receive money, in a move which the government say will “breathe new life” into high streets.

£52m worth of funding comes from the government’s Future High Street Fund, while £40m is being supplied by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The National Lottery Heritage Fund is providing £3m.

Executive Leader of Tameside Council, Cllr Brenda Warrington was excited about the plans. She said: “We are delighted to have been successful in receiving a decision in principle from Historic England for our proposal of a High Streets Heritage Action Zone. The bid was to secure funding to create a heritage walk in Stalybridge which will see a clearly signposted route all the way along Market street from the railway station right into the Historic Quarter in the heart of the town centre.

“The creative proposal seeks to get local stakeholders and residents involved in creating a programme of public art, events and performances that will not only raise the profile of the Heritage Quarter but will provide an uplift to the look of the area and will draw visitors right into the town centre.

“The final decision on the level of funding provided will be made in January 2020 following agreement of the programme design. We are looking forward to the final decision so we can get to work on investing in Stalybridge and creating a diversified offer for the town centre.”