'Cash injection can help revive our town'

Residents in Kirkby-in-Ashfield feel the town's businesses and facilities need improving

Residents living in a town that is set to receive £20m worth of funding say its high-street "desperately" needs the investment.

Kirkby-in-Ashfield in Nottinghamshire is one of 75 areas in the country due to be given the money to pay for improvements.

The funding was initially announced by the previous Conservative government but has been re-confirmed by Labour.

Ashfield District Council said it was pleased the money had been secured and it is currently deciding what it will be spent on.

People say lots of businesses have disappeared from its high-street over the years

The government says its 'Plan for Neighbourhoods' scheme is investing £1.5bn over the next decade to help places that have been "left behind."

In Kirby-in-Ashfield, a town board has been established to draft plans.

Nothing has been decided so far, and any projects will not be rolled out until 2026.

Resident Leigh-Anne Morris welcomed the investment as she describes the town as being in "serious decline."

"I have lived here for 16 years and it's sadly getting worse and worse" she said.

"Shops and businesses are open one minute and close all of a sudden.

"We have kids loitering in the parks and on the streets because there isn't anywhere for them to go. The town needs reviving."

Christine Palmer said the town had changed lots over the years

Christine Palmer, 79, lives in nearby Sutton-in-Ashfield but frequently comes to Kirkby.

"There is not much attracting me to the area anymore," she said.

"I remember there were plenty of butchers and bakers, but all those staple businesses have gone.

"If they don't sort this issue out, it will be a ghost town."

Craig Potter has lived in the town his whole life, and said it had "good facilities" but the money needed to be spent wisely.

"We have a great leisure centre and some good pubs, but in other places in Ashfield, you see that more of the shops are boarded up and neglected," he said.

"We need to make sure that does not happen to Kirkby, and that the council listens to what residents actually want."

Jason Zadrozny, leader of Ashfield District Council said: "To have confirmation this funding is secure is good news for Ashfield.

"We will continue to work with the Kirkby Town Board to review our plan and get it ready for re-submission later in the year."