£20 million for Leigh to setup Leigh Town Board

Leigh has been awarded £20m from the UK Government to set up Leigh Town Board to develop a long-term plan for regeneration in the town centre. This transformative initiative seeks to empower communities and revitalise towns that have been overlooked for far too long.

To ensure the development and delivery of relevant and successful projects, Leigh Town Board will include business leaders, investors, community champions, the local MP and local authority representatives. They will work collaboratively to formulate and execute Leigh’s shared vision of regenerating the town centre with the best interests of local people as the foremost priority.

One of the major benefits of the Leigh Town Board is the flexibility offered by the funding, allowing Leigh to capitalise on private and philanthropic investments as well as government funding. The newly granted powers to local people will enable Leigh town centre to align projects and initiatives with the timing and interests of local businesses and investors, ensuring that the benefits generated from these investments are maximised for the benefit of local communities.

Under this creative approach, the power to make decisions about Leigh's future will rest in the hands of its own residents rather than central government authorities. The critical components of the Long-Term Plan for Towns include:

• £20 Million Fund: Leigh will receive a ten-year, £20 million fund to address local priorities, such as regenerating high streets and ensuring public safety.
• Town Board Formation: Leigh will establish a Town Board consisting of key stakeholders to oversee the implementation of the Long-Term Plan, ensuring it aligns with the town's aspirations.
• Regeneration Powers: Utilising a suite of new powers, Leigh will stimulate private sector investment by repurposing empty high street shops, reforming licensing rules, and supporting housing developments within town centres.

The Board will be chaired by a businessperson or a local community leader, to ensure that the board fully reflects the priorities of the local community. They will bring invaluable perspective and expertise to the table.

Local residents will be directly involved in the decision-making process through Leigh Town Board. To make sure the priorities within the plan are underpinned by the shared vision of the local community. A process of meaningful engagement will help Leigh Town Board define the key issues to tackle, identify strengths and resources within the community and test potential projects.

This funding is separate from, and in addition to, the Levelling-Up Fund.

Les Thomas, Chairman of Leigh Means Business

"Very good news for our town centre and a great opportunity for local businesses and community groups to set the agenda for regeneration. LMB will remain committed to being the voice of local businesses and giving our town a future. Hopefully we can use this opportunity to bring in private investment to our town."

Adam Prescott, Chairman of Leigh Central Forum

"This is the exact change Leigh needs, a proactive approach to regeneration to create a meaningful difference in our shared prosperity. It is particularly exciting the UK Government has elected a bottom-up approach and empowered local communities to become the decision-makers. I look forward to working with other key stakeholders in developing and delivering a long-term plan that is suitable for Leigh"

Further reading

Find out more about Leigh Town Board