Wakefield Council is starting the regeneration of Castleford with the launch of a project to transform Sagar Street into a creative business and skills quarter which will become known as Castleford Boho.
The area is also a key route that links the town centre to the riverside.
The first stage of this work is a shop front improvement scheme with grants of up to £12,000, offered to each business with a shop front facing onto the street.
Officers have been visiting eligible businesses to provide more information on the scheme in recent days.
When work is complete, the Castleford Boho area will be a hub for skills and independent, innovative businesses that bring diversity, education and creative thinking to the heart of the town.
This scheme is the first step in a major investment programme, guided by the Castleford Strategic Regeneration Framework.
It’s been created to help improve livelihoods and reshape Castleford into a more sustainable, productive, and inviting place to live, work and spend leisure time.
The Council is planning to spend close to £24 million (£23.9m) which is to be made available from the government’s Towns Fund once it’s been approved in the coming months.
In total, there will be four projects that will see Castleford transformed over the coming years. These have been endorsed by residents, businesses, councillors, and other stakeholders, who have had their say during a series of engagement events since 2020.
Sagar Street was identified as a key link between Henry Moore Square in the centre of town and the riverside, both of which will see significant investment to transform them into vibrant and bustling destinations.
The redevelopment of the riverside will include new public spaces and commercial attractions, laying the groundwork for future housing development along with creating new space for business relocation and start-ups at Queens Mill.
Henry Moore Square is set to become the ‘Heart of Castleford’ with a focus on community and event space to positively support the high street, creating the town’s principal meeting place and one of Yorkshire’s premier public spaces.
Councillor Darren Byford, Wakefield Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, economic growth and property, said: “These are exciting plans that will see a big investment in improving the lives of people and communities who live and work in Castleford.
“We want to encourage businesses and the creative sector to choose the town as their base and help us rediscover Castleford as a distinct riverside market town.
“To achieve our aim of making Castleford a centre of business and creative excellence we are also investing in transport links, to boost connections between the railway and bus stations, town centre, riverside and other locations.
“Better signage, more greenery and new street furniture will be the final touches to the new appearance of Castleford whilst maintaining its rich heritage.”
