Kettering’s Market Place last night picked up its fifth prestigious award since its successful community opening by Faryl Smith in 2009. This is five awards in 15 months!
Kettering Market Place picked up the coveted ‘Excellence’ title at the inaugural meeting of the South East Midlands Local Economic Partnership, held last night at Cranfield University. This follows its recent success at the Local Government News Awards and presentation from the Worshipful Company of Paviors,
In presenting the award, Richard McCarthy, the Director General for Housing and Planning (at the department for Communities and Central Government) said that the judges recognised the “exciting redevelopment of the historic space” he also recalled a conversation he had with Housing Minister, Grant Shapps, who had been impressed with the Market Place when he visited Kettering last week.
Kettering Market Place beat off competition from the Northampton’s Market Place and Bletchley’s leisure centre to win the award.
Paul Thomas, the programme Manager for Kettering’s Town Centre Regeneration Projects, attended the award ceremony and said:
“The Market Place is universally recognised by external agencies as a success story for Kettering. However, the important thing for us is that it is a success for local residents and businesses, and that the community continue to use – and enjoy - the space.”
Councillor David Bishop, the Ward Councillor for William Knibb (which covers the town centre) collected the award on behalf of Kettering Borough Council and its partners. Councillor Bishop said:
“This is more great news for Kettering Town Centre. We are in the middle of exciting times as the Market Place continues to develop and the new buildings on the market place are fast taking shape”
He added:
“I know for certain that Kettering is attracting new shops and customers from all over the area and it is most definitely fighting its way out of the current economic difficulties. Late night shopping starts on Thursday 2nd of December and if you have not been in Kettering for a while, why not pay it a visit and see how it is taking shape?”
Simon Evans, of North Northants Development Company (NNDC), also collected the award:
“The Market Place has paved the way for new development and further improvements in this under-utilised part of Kettering town centre.
It is a demonstration of Kettering Borough Council’s commitment to high quality regeneration and NNDC is pleased to have to played its part in the delivery of this important project.”
The Market Place will host the ‘Big Switch On’ on the 27th November. The events, starting at 2pm features Big Brother’s Nikki Graham and 80’s pop star David an Day, both of whom are performing at the Lighthouse Theatre.
Late night shopping starts Thursday 2nd December.