Revitalising Stowmarket Town Centre

I welcome the latest investment in Stowmarket town centre, helping to bring vacant and under-used buildings back into use and create new opportunities for the community.

The latest round of the £1.5 million Town Centre Gateway Fund includes up to £100,000 to help transform the former Lockington Road fire station into community facilities, £100,000 to expand the Old Fox Yard gallery and studio, and up to £70,000 towards a new community-focused coffee roastery.

Further investment includes £100,000 towards improving accessibility at the John Peel Centre and £143,500 for new inclusive play equipment at Cedars Park.

It is also encouraging that Stowmarket’s town centre vacancy rate stands at just 6%, compared with a national average of around 14%.

These investments, alongside improvements to local sporting facilities, will help strengthen Stowmarket as a vibrant place to live, work and visit, while ensuring local facilities continue to meet the needs of our growing community.