Dewsbury set for £2.7m regeneration windfall to boost parts of the town

The cash will be spent in various parts of the town including the rail station, the library and on three Victorian shopping arcades.

The Getting Building Fund released £1.9m towards regenerating Dewsbury Arcade and Huddersfield’s George Hotel.

More than £1.3m has been allocated to stripping out the hotel and clearing the building of hazardous materials. The remaining £600,000 will go towards initial stabilisation works related to the arcade, which connects Corporation Street with Market Place.

It is hoped that work can get underway next year.

The Government’s Towns Fund has also released £750,000 to be spent on transport, urban regeneration, heritage and infrastructure.

That is earmarked for improvements at Dewsbury Station and in the area of the library, a pedestrian subway, public art, new lighting in the Kingsway and Queensway arcades, and investment at 15 Union Street to make a “creative hub”.

Those works need to be delivered by April 2021.

In a letter to the council Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick says the Government’s Towns Fund “aims to unleash the economic success of towns and high streets across the country”.

He added that “accelerated funding” would be key in supporting growth and recovery.

Commenting on the council’s purchase of the Dewsbury Arcade earlier this year Clr Cathy Scott (Lab, Dewsbury East) said it had been empty and closed for far too long.

She added: “The Arcade will be a hub of activity and thriving local businesses once again in the near future and will act as a catalyst for change in Dewsbury as we continue to deliver on our vision for the town centre.”