Latest news with #LevellingUp
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Snubbed UK seaside town 'on the up' as £18.4m investment creates tourist boom
An unfairly dismissed seaside town has witnessed a huge tourist boom after unveiling ambitious plans to regenerate the area thanks to more than £18 million worth of approved investment A 'jewel' in the crown of Britain's east coast is polishing its reputation thanks to a huge £18.4 million investment. Situated on the estuary of the Humber in North East Lincolnshire, Cleethorpes has been welcoming holidays since the 19th century, but suffered a bout of under-investment following the Benidorm boom - when Brits ditched the UK coast for cheap package holidays to Spain. Famed for its four miles of golden sandy beach, its 335ft-long pier, and 160-acre nature reserve - this tiny town really does offer something for everyone. Of course, you'll also find rows of flashing arcades, award-winning fish and chip shops, and souvenir shops flogging everything from flavoured rock to fridge magnets. But, in recent years - Cleethorpes has been targeted by seaside snobs who have branded the town as 'run down'. It's not the place to be if you're after iced matcha and tougher-than-wood piece of sourdough, but ambitious plans to transform the town are underway. In 2023, Cleethorpes secured more than £18.4 million of Levelling Up grant monies - spearheading a 'masterplan' to improve several key areas. Pier Gardens, a stretch of public green land that runs along the seafront, is one of the first areas being rejuvenated. Construction, which started this year, will see the area turned into several overlapping zones to create a 'focal point for recreational activities. It will feature a huge playground with slides, a water play area, terraced seating, and a performance zone to host small concerts or theatre performances. There will also be a reflection and memorial zone set within 'naturalistic planting schemes'. Cleethorpe's Market Place will also get a makeover, establishing a 'flexible space for market and pop events to energise the area'. Improvements will be made to lighting in the area to improve safety, while a new green corridor will link St Peters Avenue and the seafront. Restaurants and cafes will be able to let diners eat alfresco, while green infrastructure will mitigate the town's wind. Lastly, a new three-storey landmark building is set to be constructed at the former Waves site on the corner of Sea Road and the promenade, featuring state-of-the-art public amenities and changing facilities - as well as commercially lettable space across all floors. Impressive mock-up images show the building's sleek appearance, which sits opposite the iconic pier. Even before the levelling-up funds were awarded to the town, Cleethorpes had been revamping itself thanks to other investments. This includes the popular shopping area of Sea View Street, the beach, and the Memorial Gate dedicated to our Armed Forces. This is a big part of Cleethorpe's image, as the Armed Forces Weekend attracted a whopping 355,000 last year, making it one of the most popular events of its kind in the UK. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Councillor Hayden Dawkins, North East Lincolnshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and the Visitor Economy, said he was delighted with the town's plans and can't wait to see its transformation progress. "Cleethorpes is a jewel in the crown of Britain's East coast," he added. "Successful funding bids have supported a variety of great schemes across the length of the resort and that will continue in the coming 18 months as major projects start. This, in turn, has encouraged a growing number of local people and visitors to see Cleethorpes as a destination for day trips and holidays. Major events such as Armed Forces Weekend, really do showcase the resort on a national and even international stage, which is fantastic." Cllr Dawkins also hailed Cleethorpe's 'cultural activity' that he says demonstrates how the community is 'involving itself and enjoying' its growing success. "We look forward to a very bright future here in Cleethorpes - a place to work, visit, live and enjoy," he added. How to get to Cleethorpes Getting to Cleethorpes will soon get a whole lot easier, after it was announced plans are afoot to bring back direct trains between the seaside town and London King's Cross for the first time since 1992. As previously reported, rail operator Grand Central is hoping to be given permission from Network Rail to start running the services again. In a move that is expected to bring in a whopping £30 million in economic growth, the route would connect the English capital with Cleethorpes - stopping off at Doncaster, Scunthorpe, Grimsby, Thorne South, Crowle and Althorpe. Trains running four times a day could start running from as early as December 2026, if the plans are approved. This would slash the three-hour journey 'significantly', and remove the need for passengers to change trains. Until then, those wanting to visit Cleethorpes from the Big Smoke will have to transfer at Doncaster. If you're flexible with dates, you can grab single adult fares for as little as £32.50. Alternatively, Brits can drive up the M11 and get to Cleethorpes in four hours and 15-minutes in the car. Staying in Cleethorpes Cleethorpes has long been a friendly destination for those on a budget, with a vast range of accommodation types. For example, a weekend's stay (Friday, June 27-29) at the Haven Cleethorpes Beach holiday park will only set you back £195. This is based on a family of four staying in a Saver Caravan. If you're wanting something a little more luxurious, check out these charming apartments located right by the sea. Chicly decorated and just a four-minute walk to the beach - a one-bedroom apartment costs £550 on the exact same dates.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Cafe at Rotherham country park to be refurbished
The cafe at a country park will be refurbished this summer after Rotherham Council approved the scheme and selected a scheme for Thrybergh Country Park has been funded by the previous government's Levelling Up programme and is part of a £19.9m investment aimed at boosting tourism, leisure and skills across the original plan was to replace and rebuild the café but rising costs mean it will now be refurbished and the surrounding outdoor seating and landscaping will be improved works are expected to begin in late July and be completed by December. There will be a limited cafe service while work is carried refurbished cafe will be able to accommodate around 50 people indoors and there will be a new seating area with views across the park and officers said the project would enhance the park's hospitality offer, extend visitor stays, and support community health and wellbeingThe council has not disclosed the cost of the scheme. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
BBC News
05-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
First plans revealed ahead of £12m Liscard town revamp
The first plans of a Merseyside high street's £12m transformation have been Council is asking for views from locals about how to improve a public space around McDonald's restaurant known as Mother Redcap Place in the heart of Liscard town centre in Wallasey as part of the town's paving, bus stop improvements, benches, more planting, new lighting, and accessible seating have been put forward under the council said the revamp of Mother Redcap Place was "to make the location more welcoming and vibrant, transforming it through enhanced public realm, street furniture and appropriate lasting and resilient green infrastructure". The previous Conservative government gave £10.7m to the council under the Levelling Up programme with the remaining £1.3m coming from Wirral Council. The deadline to give feedback is 15 July with two drop-in events to be held in the Cherry Tree shopping centre on 28 June and 2 July, the Local Democracy Reporting Service regeneration committee chair, Councillor Mark Skillicorn said: "We are really keen to see this site, which is at the heart of Liscard Way in the town centre, made more welcoming and attractive as people arrive in the town centre."The proposed changes would also give better pedestrian connections to the bus stops, improve the setting of the statue and help us support the businesses in the town."The council said other projects being worked on include a new housing development on the Seaview Road car park site where demolition is currently under way, improved community facilities along with other public space and property enhancements. The council will ask for feedback on these projects plans are the latest development in the town following the demolition of the former community centre on Egerton Grove. A decision was recently made over the derelict Dominick House which dominates the town centre but no details have been made public at this stage. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Sun
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Huge £100million beachfront attraction with indoor forests and treehouses forced to delay opening date
THE Eden Project in Morecambe has been pushed back by two years with an even later opening date, The new project costing £100m was expected to open in 2026, but work on the attraction is yet to start. 5 With changes still being made on the design details, Eden Project Morecambe is now expected to open in 2028 - two years later than originally planned. According to the BBC, Local Government Minister Alex Norris confirmed all allocated funding for the project would be in place by early 2026, when building work is likely to get under way. Despite the delay, an updated report has said that "work has been progressing". There will also be a big meeting on June 4 to discuss the Eden Project with Lancaster City Council's budget and performance panel. The Eden Project Morecambe was first given official government approval back in March 2023. It also secured £50million in Levelling Up funding to allow work to commence on the £100million project. The project was originally named Eden Project North, and the hope was that it would have the same success as the Eden Project in Cornwall, which opened in 2001. Plans for the site are very impressive, showing three huge egg-shaped structures looking over the bay. Other images of the potential site reveal walkways linking treehouses, as well as other wooden structures. Once completed, the new Eden Project will be home to a "hyper-real forest" with large installations and immersive theatre. The new £130million Eden Project attraction set to open in the UK 5 The plans also reveal a "Bay Glade" with a well-being landscape and a Natural Observatory for research and education. There will also be an exhibition area and meeting point for guests named the Bay Hall. The attraction will also have children's play areas, restaurants, cafes and a gift shop. The Eden Project website states: " Eden Project Morecambe will be a destination that combines indoor and outdoor experiences, connecting people with the internationally-significant natural environment of Morecambe Bay while also enhancing wellbeing. "Eden Project Morecambe will combine exhibits, performance, learning, play, immersive experiences, world-class horticulture, live music, art, food, beverage and retail spaces, all integrated as essential parts of the overall experience." 5 The site in Morecambe isn't the only one set to open in the UK, there's plans to build another Eden Project in Dundee. The Eden Project Dundee was also expected to open in 2026, but has been pushed back to 2030. The attraction is set to be built along the River Tay and attract as many as 500,000 tourists a year. Another Eden Project set to open is in Londonderry. This one is set to open this year - two years after the original opening date. The Eden Project Foyle in Northern Ireland is costing an estimated £67million and is set to have the biggest undercover play area in Europe. The main attraction will be the Acorn, a "performance area and play space" connected by walkway, with the entire site being the largest undercover play area in Europe. This includes zip wires, rope bridges, slides, floating boardwalks and paths on the roof that both adults and children can walk along. Here's more on Morecambe Bay - which got a huge boost from top ITV show. And a historic UK attraction you can visit now that was named the best in the country by Which?
The Irish Sun
30-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
UK's deepest lido is reopening this summer after three years – and an £8.75 million upgrade
THERE'S good news for outdoor swimmers, as Hilsea Lido is set to reopen in a matter of months. The outdoor swimming pool, which is the 4 The Hilsea Lido has been closed since 2022 4 The lido has been popular with Hilsea locals since the 1930s Credit: Portsmouth City Council The It closed its doors back in 2022 for a refurbishment - thanks to the Government's Levelling Up programme, the outdoor pool benefited from £8.75 million worth of investment. Along with a fully functioning pool, there will be new changing rooms, benches, tables, and a fountain. The CGI plans also reveal grass areas with sun umbrellas and sunbeds for relaxing next to the pool. Read More on UK Lidos According to At the moment, locals can't see the works as there's a protective tent over the site. There are heaters underneath keeping the temperature at 8 degrees which is crucial for the rendering to cure. Finishing touches are being made like the tiling, the pool base has been stabilised, and the original lagoons have been restored. Most read in News Travel To keep the pool going and without further need for work, a modern filtration system has been installed. Parts of the original lido have been removed, like the spectator stand which was declared unsafe during the upgrade. New £4million lido to open in UK next year 4 Hilsea is the nation's deepest lido and upgrades have been made to maintain it Credit: Facebook The mural has also been removed, but the government website says that the artist will return to paint another once the lido is up and running. It's not the first time Local residents then formed a charity called Hilsea Lido Pool for the People who took over its management. The lido re-opened its doors in 2014. After the current closure, the original plans said that the lido would reopen for its 90th anniversary, which is on July 24. No official opening date has been revealed just yet, but there is more information on the It reads: "The project is set to reopen in early autumn 2025, which is the same year the lido will celebrate its 90th anniversary." The opening of this And here are the 4 The Hilsea Lido will open in the next few months Credit: Portsmouth City Council
