£1.7m investment could ‘transform the heart’ of town centre, says West Suffolk councillor
Proposals to refurbish Haverhill’s former HSBC building, in High Street, were unanimously approved by West Suffolk Council’s cabinet yesterday (Tuesday 21 July) evening
A major investment of £1.7 million could transform the heart of a town centre, a councillor has said.
Proposals to refurbish Haverhill’s former HSBC building, in High Street, were unanimously approved by West Suffolk Council’s cabinet yesterday (Tuesday 21 July) evening.
The bank, bought by the council four years after it shut its doors in 2015, will receive works to the tune of around £560,000 as part of a larger package to drive improvements in the town centre.
In total, the council has set aside just under £1.7 million in a bid to boost visitors, increase the time they spend in Haverhill, support local businesses and create a more vibrant town.
Cllr Indy Wijenayaka, the authority’s lead for growth, said: “The aim is to get a much more active and economically resilient town centre – this isn’t a dull subject for me; I’m really proud to get this over the line.”
The investment is a £1 million top-up on a £693,000 commitment made by the council in February.
Alongside refurbishing the former bank, public space upgrades to a range of areas in the town are also being delivered, with several set to be in place by the end of next year.
Cllr Joe Mason, the member for Haverhill, said the works were welcome but stressed the focus should shift to their delivery and pushed for the improvements to be in place by next summer.
“Bringing the former HSBC building back into productive use after standing vacant for over a decade is something many residents have wanted to see,” he said.
“Planned improvements to alleyways and improvements to Market Square, among other measures, have the potential to transform the heart of the town.”
Cllr Tony Brown, also representing Haverhill, agreed the funding was ‘absolutely welcome’ but stressed other issues had to be addressed alongside it, such as dealing with street drinkers.