Stalybridge Town Centre regeneration programme

 
Over the last few years Stalybridge has gained significant profile and funding which has really helped kickstart the regeneration of the town centre.
In 2018, the town was named as Tameside’s Greater Manchester Challenge Town Centre by Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester Mayor, in an initiative launched to help regenerate urban centres across Greater Manchester.
 
This helped raised the profile of Stalybridge and provided an opportunity for both the Council and the local community to move towards tackling key issues in the town centre. Providing the route to start shaping plans for regeneration through engagement with residents, business, stakeholders, and partners.
 
The strategy for moving the town centre forward Stalybridge Action Plan: Our Place, Our Plan was then agreed by the council at the Executive Cabinet in February 2020.  
There are now a number of projects underway across the town which have come to fruition as a result of the priorities set through the Town Centre Challenge which aim to improve the public realm, and profile the towns heritage to help attract additional investment to Stalybridge.

 
Stalybridge High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ)
 

 
The Stalybridge High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) is a partnership between Historic England and Tameside Council to help restore the town’s local historic character and encourage people to spend more time there.  It recognises that Stalybridge has a rich heritage and an incredible story to tell. The HSHAZ project is focused on regeneration of the Stalybridge Town Centre Conservation Area. The programme has brought an investment of £2.55m over the four-year period which will promote economic, social, and cultural regeneration.

The HSHAZ projects include the Heritage Walk public realm and improvement schemes along Market Street, the Civic Hall roof replacement and feasibility studies on the future use of the former Victoria Market, alongside community engagement, cultural activities, and events to encourage more visitors to the town centre. The wider HSHAZ programme also include a separate cultural engagement fund which supported the creation of The Bridge Cultural Consortium. Find out more about the Heritage Action Zone at www.tameside.gov.uk/HAZ.
 
 
 £20million awarded for Stalybridge regeneration
 
On 15 March 2023, Stalybridge was awarded £19.9 million in Government funds from the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC) through the Town Centre Capital Regeneration funding to move forward regeneration plans for the town centre.

The 3-year programme of delivery for that funding includes further work to the Civic Hall to support its reuse and accessibility enhancements. Work to the Stalybridge Library and Astley Cheetham Art Gallery for repairs and improvements to accessibility including the installation of a lift access to the art gallery. Unlocking brownfield and other sites for future residential and commercial development to help the bring in more private sector investment. Plans also include further improvements to the public realm, pedestrian routes, and access to public transport routes within the town centre.
 
 
Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2022
 
Stalybridge was awarded the Greater Manchester Town of Culture accolade in 2022.
The year of cultural activity which followed helped raise the town’s profile and highlight local talent and creativity to a wider audience allowing Stalybridge to shine as a cultural hub. It not only profiled the town as a great place to visit but  also helped create a cultural legacy for the future through the unique programme of activities that took place.
 
Tameside Council also gave out £12,000 in 25 grants to fund community projects, which included a wide variety of opportunities for all ages from photography, art, dance and circus workshops to children’s activities. Community partners, businesses and organisations involved in the Town of Culture programme - including The Bridge Cultural Consortium which led on bid and delivering the programme alongside the council – are celebrated in the showreel, which can also be viewed here.
 

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