Businesses across Castleton centre are in line for a revamp, after councillors approved a £600,000 shop front improvement scheme for the area.
The council’s cabinet gave the green light to the cash injection to help further regenerate the area, which is a vital part of the council’s wider investment plans.
Businesses across Castleton centre will be invited to apply for the funding, with up to £30,000 on offer for each business which is successful in securing the support.
The funding will cover improvements like repairs to stonework and brickwork, shop front improvements, including new signage, lighting and artwork, and reinstatement of historic features.
The investment is part of the wider regeneration of Castleton, which is seeing many of its brownfield sites transformed with high quality new homes.
Kellen Homes is currently on site on former railway sidings land, building 191 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom homes, with 29 allocated for affordable housing. Elsewhere in the town centre, 198 new homes are being developed on brownfield land at Calico Grove, off Royle Barn Road, and 102 new homes have been created at the Weavers Fold development in Nixon Street.
The area has benefited from major investment from Transport for Greater Manchester into the roads and pavements, the creation of a new cycle lane, new parking facilities and a new children’s play area, Smalley's Park. The council also has long term aspirations to expand the East Lancs railway into Castleton from Heywood.
Councillor Danny Meredith, cabinet member for regeneration and housing at Rochdale Borough Council, said:
“We’ve worked hard to bring regeneration into Castleton and there’s a real sense of momentum in this area, with previously rundown, brownfield suites being transformed into high-quality homes.
“But there is always more to do. This investment will help business owners in this vital area organise repairs and improvements to their premises, which they otherwise may not have been able to afford. This, in turn, could help them attract even more customers in future, including the residents who are moving into the new houses which are being created and making Castleton their long term home.”
A team from Rochdale Development Agency (RDA), which is organising the scheme on behalf of the council, will now contact all business owners in the target area and offer them the opportunity to attend drop-in sessions at the Castleton Community Centre, where they can find out more about the project and how to apply for funding.
Councillor Aisling-Blaise Gallagher, chair of the Rochdale South Township Committee, said:
“We’ve been working closely with the council’s cabinet to find a way to support businesses in this area and I’m delighted that this funding has been approved. Details of the drop in sessions will be shared with businesses in due course and I would encourage them to go along and find out more.”