What will the funding be spent on?
A Wigan Council 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 ease congestion 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 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:
- Carrying out a review of car parking in and around the town centre to fully understand the current provision and explore further potential opportunities
- 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 to establish an evidence base for a one-way gyratory system including conversion of Bryn Street and sections of Wigan Road and Gerard Street to one-way streets. 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.
You can also email us at ourfutureashton@wigan.gov.uk.
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, 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?
Work is taking place to develop this project including identifying priority areas and buildings that will be eligible for funding. Eligible businesses will be updated in due course and further information about the process and how the funding will work will be shared soon.
If you would like to know what other support and information might be available for your business, please contact the business engagement team using the contact information shared above.
If you would like to know what other support and information might be available for your business, please visit The Deal for Business or Get free business advice.
What other support can my business get?
Wigan Council’s Deal for Business is a voluntary agreement between the Council and local businesses, which is a shared commitment to support inclusive economic growth by keeping the Wigan pound in the borough. These businesses are awarded bronze, silver or gold membership which is reviewed annually. Businesses can connect and work with other recognised member businesses through the online directory to encourage local supply chain development. A dedicated officer from the Council’s business engagement team works with the business to identify any additional areas of assistance. This support encourages the business to increase their membership level each year and helps the business to achieve growth.
Further information can be found on The Deal for Business webpages. The business engagement team is always on hand to talk businesses through The Deal for Business and can be contacted on 01942 489190 or business@wigan.gov.uk.
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.
The Council are working with 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.