'Bright future' for town as council plans facelift

A council is exploring ways of revitalising Stowmarket town centre

A council is looking at ways of giving a town centre a facelift and improving locals' quality of life.

Mid Suffolk District Council confirmed members were considering a "raft of measures" aimed at revitalising Stowmarket in Suffolk.

They include improvements to the "town centre environment and street scene" and ways to attract visitors.

Leader Andy Mellen, who is from the Green Party, said the council believed Stowmarket could have a "bright future".

Leader Andy Mellen said the council thought Stowmarket could have a "bright future"

The Green Party secured sole control of Mid Suffolk council in 2023.

Mr Mellen said Stowmarket town centre had strengths but had also experienced "pressures".

“Stowmarket town centre has many strengths," he said.

"Like most towns, it has not been immune from pressures such as online shopping, the pandemic, increased costs, and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, but we firmly believe it can have a bright future."

He added: "We are looking at proactive action to support a revitalised town centre that is fit for the future and embraces a more sustainable mixed offer of retail, culture, leisure, residential and community uses.”

The council said, in a statement, that it was considering measures that included:

• A £400,000 grant scheme "for existing retailers to improve the appearances of their shopfronts".

• Investing a further £225,000 in enhanced "street cleansing and public realm services".

• Feasibility work into "demand for hotel accommodation".

The council said a "shopfronts scheme" for small and medium-sized firms could include new signage and reinstatement of lost "traditional or historic features".

Leaders said the council had previously agreed to plough £1.5m into regenerating the town centre by bringing empty units back into use.