KIRKLEES Council’s Cabinet has backed plans to allocate £1.5million each to four of its smaller town centres to support local regeneration.

The money, which will be allocated to Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike, Batley and Holmfirth, will be available for both short and longer term projects to help build on each town’s unique selling points, support the local economy and help the towns recover after the pandemic.

The Council has selected these towns as they are the next largest centres in Kirklees, after Huddersfield and Dewsbury. They provide a range of business, cultural, leisure and local retail facilities or are located in areas where there is a greater expectation for local growth.  They are also areas where there is already some other investment planned around the infrastructure or council assets.

Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council, said: “Earlier this year we set an investment budget that seeks to make sure we recover from the pandemic,  and leave no-one behind.

“As part of this we are looking to invest £6 million to support future growth of some of our major towns.

“The current pandemic is shining a light on local centres with more and more people using and discovering what is on their doorstep. On a positive note lockdown has meant walking to the local food store to access everyday goods is more common place.

“Whilst more people are shopping locally,  restrictions and lockdowns have made it harder for non-essential retail and service businesses in town centres across the country.

“In order to keep supporting our objectives for inclusion and climate change, we need these centres not only to survive the current crisis but also to be strengthened moving forward so that they continue to play an important part in local community life.

“Each local town has its own identity and communities,  no one knows their town better than the local community, which is why we want to involve them in this exciting opportunity to have their say on how we spend the money.’

“We know that these four towns already have great things to offer, but it is really important that we invest now in order that they can continue to grow as we all recover from recent events and 10 years of austerity resulting in £197m cuts to our finances.

“These towns were selected due to both their size and their potential to maximise the investment.’

“I for one, am excited to see how plans will develop with input from the local community.”