New dawn for Grantham
Planned initiatives aimed at making a difference to the town look set to help existing businesses prosper and attract more visitors and investment in the town, as Glynis Fox finds.
In common with many other market towns across the country, Grantham has been challenged by difficult economic times. But things are looking up as it is in line to be boosted by millions of pounds of Government cash which promises to make it more attractive for both locals and visitors.
Firstly, the centre of Grantham is getting a major facelift, as part of a £4.1 million regeneration project. In two further projects, energy-saving lighting is being installed across the South Kesteven District and a Safer Streets Co-ordinator is bringing extra reassurance to people.
The £4.1m will help to refurbish and reopen toilets on Conduit Lane and also provide a new space to help diversify the town centre businesses, the market and leisure opportunities.
The Market Place and Station Approach are both in line for significant public area improvements designed to encourage people to meet there, stay in Grantham for longer and walk through its streets rather than driving.
The work, being funded by the Government’s Future High Streets Fund (FHSF), was scheduled to start at the beginning of May and is expected to take about nine months to complete.
Improvements to the Market Place are designed to create an open space with beautiful York stone setts as a focal point for the town in several different ways. They will raise the road level from the Conduit Lane pedestrian crossing and along Westgate/Market Place, between the existing raised crossing to link the walking areas, raise the exit to the short-term parking area and add new stop lines at traffic signals on Market Place and the High Street. Seating and new planting will also be added to the areas used by shoppers.
In the autumn, Station Approach will see improvements at the Station Road/A607 junction. This will support work being carried out by LNER to improve users’ access and make the area brighter and more appealing. More work will also be conducted on Harlaxton Road and Wharf Road.
SHOPPING AND LEISURE
SKDC said the council is “placing people first.” Coun Richard Cleaver said: “Putting the Market Place at the heart of Grantham will improve accessibility and reduce the impact of traffic, to enable this area of the town to fulfil its true potential for the community.
“Reimagining the space provides a huge opportunity to attract people, both locally and from further afield and increase the dwell time of shoppers and workers.”
The town’s market, which attracts a mix of more than 20 casual and regular traders, takes place on Saturdays, between 8.30am and 3pm. Stalls are based in the Market Place and Westgate and will move further into Westgate during the roadworks.
The market sells a variety of goods, from fruit to flowers, plants and baked goods.
Councillor Cleaver said: “The new level layout and improved facilities will open up real possibilities for events and the market itself to enhance its position as a key community space in the heart of the town.
The work will result in a better experience for everyone, by increasing Grantham’s vibrancy through its culture, leisure, retail and events offer.
“It is vital that we optimise the potential of Grantham town centre and maximise the opportunities.”
He said the FHSF bid had received “tremendous support” from businesses and other organisations.
“We know there is a genuine passion for the future success of the town. Grantham has so much going for it. We are on a railway line an hour or so from London and have a connected road network, with the new relief road soon to come on stream. Investing in our streets, spaces and infrastructure will ultimately boost our economy andprovide a better quality of life.”
DRIVING GROWTH
The aim of the FHSF is to renew and reshape town centres and high streets in a way that drives growth, improves people’s experience and ensures future sustainability. The Grantham Fund programme is administered by SKDC’s economic development team and supported by delivery partners including the County Council.
If you are visiting Grantham but want to do more than simply shopping, why not stop for coffee at Digby’s, in the Guildhall Arts Centre in St Peter’s Hill. You can also pick-up visitor information at the centre and find out about its dance and fitness classes, theatre and musical events.
If you enjoy films, you might want to catch the latest releases at the town’s Savoy Cinema, a few steps away in the town’s cultural quarter.
Passionate about keeping fit? Go along to Grantham Meres Leisure Centre, with its 70-station gym, four swimming pools, three sports halls and outdoor running track.
Those who still want to shop and take time out for a meal should pop into the Isaac Newton Centre. You’ll find the popular Cinco Lounge and a Costa Coffee at its entrance looking across to Isaac Newton’s statue.
In Welby Street there is the Belvoir Gallery, the long-standing Curtis’ outlet and Pancha Time, for those who fancy a refreshing Bubble Tea!
SAFER STREETS
A Safer Streets co-ordinator is now working in SKDC to help people in Grantham and some hotspots in other parts of the district to feel more comfortable. The 18-month project has come about thanks to a successful bid by the Council for £172,000 of Government money. It will fund a series of initiatives, with a further £93,000 from the Council.
Peter Harrison said: “I know the area well, having worked in relevant areas of the council over 30 years. I have worked with businesses, our partner agencies and the public through that time.
“I have already started the groundwork to get our projects off the ground and I look forward to working alongside local venues, the police and the public, businesses, charities and volunteer groups, as well as the statutory agencies across South Kesteven to make a difference to safety and how safe people actually feel.”
Peter’s work includes extending the Pub Watch Scheme and providing training for staff operating the Ask for Angela initiative, where people feeling threatened in a public setting can seek help from bar staff or waiters.
Establishing a Home Safe scheme, to enable someone who is vulnerable or under threat to get home safely, is also a priority. Other measures include protection against drink spiking with Drink Safe Covers, anti-spiking bottle stoppers and test kits; organisation of self-defence classes and using some of the money to provide personal alarms and torches to women and girls to support their safe journey home.
Cabinet Member for People and Communities, Councillor Rhea Rayside said: “These initiatives will help improve the night-time economy in Grantham by making the area feel safer for those out and about.”
Around 48 CCTV cameras will also be upgraded or replaced and an increase in CCTV staffing, covering weekend evenings, is planned to help prevent and detect crime within the night-time economy. There will also be more night-time and weekend patrols from SKDC’s neighbourhoods and licensing officers as a visible deterrent.
BRIGHTER LIGHTS
Grantham stands to benefit as thousands of energy-efficient bulbs are to be installed in streetlights across South Kesteven District.
More than 3,100 lights operated by the District Council are getting a £1million energy-saving upgrade.
The authority said the investment will pay for itself in four years and will allow the council to continue to keep its lights on through the night.
Street lighting is the single largest area of electricity consumption for the council, accounting for just over four per cent of SKDC’s total carbon emissions.
Council Leader, Councillor Ashley Baxter said: “We’re speeding up the implementation of this upgrade to maximise the energy savings from new LED bulbs. We will be making further savings by dimming them between midnight and 6am.
“The whole stock of existing streetlights should be upgraded within 18 months and a 10-year warranty will also allow the council to reduce maintenance costs.
“We’re also taking care of wildlife through this initiative by reducing the impact of night-time illumination, by securing lights with an appropriate colour temperature, removing the possibility of cool spectrum light.”
The contract was awarded to E.ON Energy Solutions Ltd by SKDC Cabinet. It covers a work programme upgrade of around 3,100 streetlights to LED units with an in-built dimming programme.
Councils do not have a duty to provide street lighting but, once provided, the local authority does have a duty to maintain the system in a safe condition.
The LED upgrade is funded by £500,000 from the Invest to Save Reserve, £250,000 from the Budget Stabilisation Reserve and £250,000 from the Local Priorities Reserve.
FOLKINGHAM MARKS WORLD WAR TWO
Set sail on the fourth Aveland Odyssey free festival, which celebrates the men who flew from USAAF 484 Folkingham in 1944.
The weekend of 14th and 15th September, from 10.30am to 5pm, will see the village recreated to look as it was 80 years earlier, when planes and gliders took off for Operation Market Garden.
There will be a variety of Enactors and Vehicle Trusts, as well as representatives portraying the Home Guard and the Women’s Land Army.
For younger visitors there will be children’s theatre, free make-and-take activities, and a chance to get hands-on with items from the war era.
A programme of singers and dancers across three stages will keep the spirits soaring. There will also be exhibitions, displays and history trails, plus a series of lectures by prominent authors and historians in the village hall.
This event has been made possible by a grant from the UKSPF, and the goodwill of local businesses.
For more information visit www.theavelandhistorygroup.com
Photographs: Mick Fox
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