A ‘DEAD’ English ghost town which lost its Wetherspoons and McDonald’s has turned around its fortunes with a huge £15m revamp.
Some of the 64,000 locals living in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, have previously slammed their town for having “gone downhill rapidly” – but new investment aims to reverse this decline.
Kirklees CouncilPlans have been approved to renew Dewsbury Market and to build a new park next to the site[/caption]
AlamyLocals have said in the past how the town had ‘gone downhill rapidly’[/caption]
AlamyShoppers in the outdoor section of Dewsbury Market – which is set to be entirely revamped[/caption]
Kirklees Council has committed millions of pounds to update Dewsbury’s market and to create a new park for residents.
Officials say the updated market would have a “more varied, day-to-night offering” with more spaces for eating, drinking, socialising and events.
On top of this, a new park would be constructed next to the market – offering the largest green space in the town with its own play area and seating.
Councillor Graham Turner said: “Once we unveiled our updated plans for Dewsbury Market, the adjoining park was very much the missing piece.
“These are both aspects of the town we know local people greatly care about, and they have a huge part to play in Dewsbury’s future.”
The Sun had reported in 2023 how locals in the town felt it had been ruined by drunks and people smoking cannabis – adding that it had lost several shops and pubs.
This included Dewbury’s Wetherspoons, McDonald’s, and Mecca Bingo hall.
But now, residents will likely feel hopeful that this new £15m investment could give the town a new lease of life.
Kirklees Council said the new park is intended to “transition smoothly into the market’s outdoor offering” before eventually merging with the indoor market.
Other improvement works can be found in the town, with the Dewsbury Arcade – which lies adjacent to the market – set to reopen next year, around the same time work on the market and park is due to begin.
Once all the respective work is complete, the number of trees in the town centre would greatly increase, Kirklees Council added.
Officials said that the area surrounding the connected park and market would also benefit as the nearby Foundry Street would be earmarked for greening and pedestrian-friendly plans.
Previously, residents had explained how they were sickened by the town’s state.
Speaking in 2023, Matthew, 43, told YorkshireLive: “It’s a bit grim. People tapping and drunks bothering people.
“And cannabis raids. It stinks and turns my stomach.”
Domesday English town is transforming its seafront with splash park, pop-up markets & new walkways in £7.2m makeover
A DOMESDAY English town is transforming its seafront with a splash park, pop-up markets and new walkways in a £7.2m makeover.
It is hoped the improvements will attract more visitors to boost the town’s economy.
Improvements to Littlehampton’s seafront between East Beach, South Terrace and Windmill Road got underway in the autumn.
The town, seaside resort and civil parish sits in the Arun District of West Sussex.
The work is being funded by a £7 million levelling up fund from the government and it is hoped the improvements will attract more visitors to boost the town’s economy.
The revamp includes new toilets and beach showers, improvements to the car park, including electric vehicle charging points, walkways and new sustainable planting.
A new water play area and a pop-up marketplace off Banjo Road with four fixed stalls will also come to the beach.
An activity hub is also planned to include a bouldering wall, beach volleyball, petanque and basketball courts.
Waterfalls, rock pools and water jets will be installed for the water play area.
There will also be social spaces throughout the development to include pergolas, picnic tables and benches, that will be shaded by new trees and plants.
Chris Butterworth, 60, added that the closure of his favourite local pubs and shops had left him “depressed“, saying the town had “gone downhill rapidly”.
Jo, 49, added: ” It is run down and the shops are closed, with undesirable people.
“I would not walk through Dewsbury after dark. I would be too scared.”
Elizabeth Cleal, 21, and her mum Sarah Jones, 42, both agreed the town was “dead”, with shops shutting left, right, and centre.
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