What will the funding be spent on?
A project to regenerate Ashton-in-Makerfield has been awarded £6.6 million of Capital Regeneration Projects (CRP) funding. The funding will be used for the following projects:
- A refresh of Ashton’s historic market square to allow for a range of community, social and entrepreneurial activities
- Streetscape greening and road safety interventions to reduce the impact of traffic and make the town centre more welcoming for pedestrians and cyclists
- Shopfront and façade improvements along Garswood Street and Gerard Street
- Improved lighting and art trails.
How were the projects decided on?
Early work to develop proposals included a stakeholder workshop, supported by the Government’s High Street Task Force (HSTF), in February 2022 including representatives from the business community, the voluntary sector, young people and the Council.
Further workshops, stakeholder meetings and public consultation took place to refine the proposals and ensure they were well supported. Feedback on the application from Department for Levelling Up, Homes and Community praised the way stakeholder engagement was used to develop the bid and allow it to meet the needs of the community.
Where will everyone park if some parking spaces are removed?
We understand parking is a concern for businesses, residents and shoppers and we want to reassure you that these concerns are being listened to and planned into the project as we progress the work. We have already undertaken a parking survey and are still giving lots of consideration to this and welcome all your feedback.
Some of the ways we will be working to improve parking and address concerns are:
- Reviewing the car parking survey to ensure we fully understand the needs and usage of car parking in and around the town centre and exploring further potential opportunities
- Considering short stay or limited waiting options on Garswood Street car park during the day. Surfacing and marking out the Albert Street site (off Bolton Road) and making it available for car parking
- Improving the layout of existing car parking through landscaping and greenery
- Improved parking demand management within Ashton’s town centre through a mix of policy and follow-up investments.
What are you going to do about the traffic problems?
The project includes road safety improvements and activity to ease congestion, balance the way vehicles move and to help improve the experience of pedestrians and cyclists around Ashton town centre. This includes a number of new pedestrian crossings and junction improvements. Within the Streetscape section of the project, there will be greenery added to improve the look of the area.
Separately, funding has been secured toexplore options to improve the circulation of traffic around the town centre. This will enable the reprioritisation of road space to provide additional active travel infrastructure and provide a safer environment for shoppers. The Council are also actively exploring other long-term opportunities to reduce traffic and HGVs coming through the town centre by looking at the wider highway network.
What type of stalls will there be on the market site?
The plan for the space in Ashton’s historic market site is that it will be transformed into a multifunctional public square. We know that there is demand from the community to see the market back and we want this area to become home to a range of community, social and entrepreneurial activities that will boost local productivity and restore a sense of community, local pride and belonging. The multifunctional public square will provide a place for socialising and community engagement that would cater for the needs of all age groups.
We plan to encourage various businesses, ranging from start-ups to food and drink establishments, to set up in this location and make the space vibrant and modern to appeal to young people, yet attractive and easily accessible to the elderly.
How can I give my feedback?
Join our mailing list online so that you hear about any plans, meetings, and surveys first.
We’ll be sending a regular Newsletter to everyone on the mailing list and leaving some printed copies in notice boards and local business in Ashton Town Centre as well as being accessed online on Our Future Ashton.
You can also email us at ourfutureashton@wigan.gov.uk.
We’ll share dates for any public consultation on social media, via the mailing list and this webpage and with flyers in notice boards and being distributed in Ashton town centre.
The Ashton-in-Makerfield Innovation Board has also been established to provide a focus for community collaboration and engagement and help drive forward the long-term vision for the regeneration of the town, which is supported by Wigan Council and the Government’s High Street Task Force. Representatives from across the community, including residents, businesses, voluntary organisations, schools and public sector have joined the Board.
If you are interested in joining, or finding out more, please register your interest at the email address above.
Please note: the Board aims to have a balanced representation of stakeholders so we cannot guarantee that everyone expressing an interest will be invited to attend.
How do I access business grants?
The Ashton in Makerfield town centre grant scheme has now been launched.
From this page you can access documents explaining how the grant scheme works, what is expected from building owners and how to apply for it. There are two expression of interest phases, the first one closed on 30th June 2024 and the second one will be run during Spring 2025.
Why is grant funding being given to property owners and businesses?
The shopfront and building grant scheme is being carefully designed to ensure that public funds are used in the most appropriate way to enhance appearance of building in Ashton and therefore impact positively on perceptions of the town centre and stimulate further investment.
Much of Ashton town centre is designated as a Conservation Area and many buildings that are not listed, still have important contribution to the character and heritage of the town. Despite this responsibility, some buildings in Ashton detract from the quality of environment due to poor maintenance or unsympathetic alterations and signage. This issue was raised in our early consultations with the public whilst preparing the funding application to government. The provision of a shopfront and building grant scheme will address this by providing a stimulus for owners to improve their premises and it will result in wider benefits for the town as it will be better maintained, more attractive and heritage features reinstated or restored. Examples of the positive impact of schemes such as this can be seen across the country, and locally in Tyldesley. Find out more about the improvements made with the For Tyldesley High Street Heritage Action Zone (external link).
The Council are working with an experienced consultation team, Creative Heritage, to deliver the scheme in Ashton. Businesses and owners will be expected to demonstrate their commitment to the scheme through providing a certain proportion of their own costs as match-funding towards the eligible works.
How will the Council ensure that grant recipients do not misuse the funding?
The Council is the accountable body for the funding and is required to report to government on a quarterly basis to monitor spend and activity and ensure that it is spent in line with the funding agreement between the Council and government.
There will be robust application process and formal legal agreements in place with grant recipients to govern the use of funds and mitigate against any risk misuse of public funding. For example, grant funding will not be paid: where any works are not defined as ‘eligible works’ within the grant agreement; where any works do not comply with any necessary planning consent; or where works are not appropriately evidenced.
What support is available for my business?
Businesses, both large and small, play a critical role in creating employment opportunities, stimulating investment, and generating economic competitiveness within Wigan’s local economy. That’s why Wigan Council’s Invest in Wigan team offers a free and independent service to help start, run, or grow a business. It's available to any business located in, or looking to relocate to, the borough or local residents who wish to start their own business.
The team can arrange an appointment at a convenient location to identify and access relevant support and have links to external partner organisations and internal departments that can offer advice.
What other support can my business get?
Wigan borough depends on businesses to create an economy that is both successful and sustainable, promoting opportunity, growth, and innovation. Wigan Council working alongside the Business Consortium (a group of local businesses) developed the Believe in Business Charter. The Charter is a voluntary agreement between the Council and local businesses, with a shared commitment to support inclusive economic growth, encourages collaboration, identify local supply chain opportunities, and celebrates your achievements and successes.
More information can be found on the Believe in Business Charter.
You can email t the Invest in Wigan team who are always on hand to talk to businesses or call them on 01942 489190.