UKSPF Funding is Making a Difference Across Tameside

OVER the past year, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) has had a significant impact on communities and businesses across Tameside.

From revitalising key buildings and enhancing public spaces to introducing exciting new events and cultural activities, the fund has brought tangible benefits to everyone.

Tameside Council has been allocated a total of £3.812m of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) for the borough across three different investment priorities:

• £1.979m Communities & Place
• £1.215m Supporting Local Business
• £0.618m People & Skills

Spending is on track and the £1.9m government funding allocated for Communities and Place has brought a wide range of benefits to the borough.

This funding has been instrumental in a variety of initiatives, including creating new employment opportunities, supporting young people with employment and training, organising cultural and community events such as Saturdays on the Square, Stalybridge Streetfest, Spring Family Fun day as well as Ashton Paint Jam, and enhancing playground facilities as well as water fountain repairs at St Petersfield.

It is also being used in projects to improve the public spaces and to carry out feasibility studies for further work and projects across the borough’s town centres to increase footfall and income to the local economy.

Ashton Market Hall is also set to be upgraded using £250,000 of UKSPF funding in line with the ambitions for the Market Square. Works will change some of the layout to support existing traders and bring in a wider age range of customer. A flexible space for communal seating, planters, network points and power for small business pods, a monthly pop-up club, student zone and community group hub will support more activities and events and enhance the market offer.

Supporting local businesses remains a top priority. Over the past 12 months, a Partnership and Engagement Officer has been actively working with a diverse range of local businesses, providing crucial support and advice. This initiative has successfully created jobs and supported small businesses to grow by offering guidance on funding and other essential resources.

One of the current focal points is the development of Ashton Old Baths, a key element in the St Petersfield area. New office and meeting space is being created to increase the number of businesses able to operate from the centre by providing more floorspace. It will also include improvements to help futureproof this fantastic historic building to ensure it continues to serve as a vital space for businesses to grow. Although this is not a design and build project, the Council will collaborate with Inspiredspaces Tameside Limited under the standard Tameside additional services contract to carry out the necessary work.

Cllr Jack Naylor, Executive Member for Inclusive Growth, Business, and Employment said: "The UKSPF funding has been an invaluable resource, enabling us to achieve great things and breathe new life into existing projects.

“We are committed to supporting local businesses and helping them thrive, and Ashton Old Baths has been instrumental in providing a space for businesses to start and grow. The ongoing work on the building will ensure we can continue to support businesses for many more years."

The works to Ashton’s indoor market will support the exciting transformation happening outside and enhance the offer even further to support local traders.

Find out more about the ongoing projects as www.tameside.gov.uk/UKPSF