With an investment of £10m of Growth Funds, Kettering Town Centre’s regeneration is well underway following the completion of the Northampton Road/Northfield Avenue Roundabout along with the long awaited demolition of the derelict Hogs Head buildings and the imminent completion of the improvement works to Horsemarket.
The conclusion of these works together with the emergence of the new Restaurant Quarter and Market Place Buildings, due for completion in Autumn 2011, are a symbol of the huge progress that has been made in Kettering town centre.
Further improvements are on the way following the commencement of works on Market Street. The area will be pedestrianised and new lighting and street furniture is being installed. Work will then move down to Sheep Street where public realm will be improved to complement the award winning Market Place.
The multi-million improvement project aimed at rejuvenating Kettering’s Town Centre will help attract more shoppers and retailers to the town and will make for a better shopping experience in 2011. The works will complement the rich heritage of the town and make it a distinctive and fun place to be. Come and see for yourself and support your local businesses.
Simon Evans, NNDC said:
“By securing growth funding for this project, local partners have ensured the momentum of improvements to the town centre is maintained and Kettering increases the opportunities for private sector investment in its future development. With the transformation of this part of the town centre and the completion of the Restaurant Buildings in the summer, Kettering is one to watch.”
Paul Thomas, Programme Manager at Kettering Borough Council said:
“It is really good to see these schemes coming together. Although there’s still work to do to complete the Market Place Restaurants and the improvements we are making to Horsemarket, Market Street and Sheep Street; when its all finished, Kettering will be a really special place to visit and shop in.”
Notes to Editors:
Horsemarket:
The works on Horsemarket include public realm improvements and the installation of new bus stops which will make the area a key drop-off and collection point for people visiting the town. Taxi ranks will be relocated to Silver Street but Horsemarket will continue to be used as a taxi rank in the evening. Additional parking will also be provided including disabled parking bays.
The work is being paid for entirely from funding attracted from outside of the borough known as the Growth Area Funds managed for North Northamptonshire by North Northants Development Company (NNDC) on behalf of Northamptonshire County Council.
Hogs Head:
The long awaited demolition of the derelict buildings on the Hogs Head site, that have blighted the Horsemarket area for more than a decade, is now complete. The demolition and site clearance of the former pub buildings will now enable partners to bring forward a new proposal for how it might be redeveloped.
The work is being paid for entirely from funding attracted from outside of the borough known as the Growth Area Funds managed for North Northamptonshire by North Northants Development Company (NNDC) on behalf of Northamptonshire County Council.
Northampton Road/Northfield Avenue Junction:
Work started in November 2010 on the Northampton Road/Northfield Avenue junction to replace existing traffic lights with a double roundabout to improve traffic flow at what is one of the busiest intersections in the county. The new double roundabout will provide better access to the town centre as well as improved crossing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.
Funding for the roundabout is made up of £1.7m Growth Area Funds and £250k from Kettering’s s106 contributions and funding from Northamptonshire County Council’s Local Transport Plan.