£3 million is being used to revamp Loughborough town centre

"The town centre is crucial to our local economy."

The Town Deal Board has confirmed £2.87 million of funding which will see more events held in the town centre, investment in the town markets and expansion of the CCTV system.

Cllr Jenny Bokor, the Council’s lead member for Loughborough said: “Shopping habits have changed, and high streets need to adapt and innovate to ensure they can draw people in to support businesses. That’s why we have created the Living Loughborough project in partnership with Love Loughborough.

“We are creating innovative digital trails for people to explore and investing in our historic markets. We will also be making Queen’s Park even more attractive and connected to the town centre.

“The Living Loughborough project is packed with great ideas and thanks to the Town Deal we can now turn them into reality.”

The Living Loughborough project includes:

• New interactive digital trails to encourage people to explore the town centre and its heritage. The trails will feature augmented reality which means they will be able to ‘see into the past’ using a mobile phone app.
• holding more events
• digital signage to showcase local events and information
• investment in Loughborough Markets including:
  • the creation of a ‘plaza’ area with seating, lighting, and planters. The space will give more flexibility to be able to hold different types of events
  • improvements to the infrastructure of the market to include cabins which can be used all year round and an extension of the electrical supply for market traders
  • addition of a covered area in Southfields Park to hold events
  • the expansion of CCTV cameras in four locations to improve public safety
  • the creation of a new post with Love Loughborough to support crime reduction in the town centre including the purchase of 100 new radios for traders as part of the retail radio scheme
  • more 1-2-1 support for businesses on topics including using digital technology and marketing
  • improvements to Queen’s Park including to the entrances from Granby Street and Granby Street car park, the addition of new information points, new lighting to the bandstand and improved lighting of the Carillon Tower.
  • the addition of a canopy over a paved area outside the café at Charnwood Museum with improved lighting and seating
  • the expansion of free public wi-fi in the town centre to include Ward’s End, Devonshire Square, Bedford Square and Queen’s Park

The Town Deal Board is co-chaired by Cllr Jonathan Morgan, Leader of Charnwood Borough Council, and Dr Nik Kotecha OBE, founder of Morningside Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Dr Kotecha said: “The town centre is crucial to our local economy and that’s why the Town Deal Board were keen to support the Living Loughborough project. It will help make our town even more vibrant and attractive to visitors and in turn generate footfall for local businesses.”

Loughborough Town Deal is supporting 11 projects after securing £16.9 million of Government funding. 

Lez Cope Newman, Chair of Love Loughborough BID, said: “I am so excited by the Living Loughborough project as I think it will be transformational for the town centre. The digital trails and events will help bring life and atmosphere while Love Loughborough will also be offering more support to businesses to help them flourish.

“We are also keen to make our town centre a safe and inviting place. CCTV will be expanded but we will also be working with partners, retailers and those involved in the night-time economy to make sure visitors feel safe and secure when in town.”