Published February 24, 2016 at 16:16
Haslingden Task Force met in February and has agreed some key projects to support the town. Rossendale Borough Council has provided £100,000 of funding through the Task Force to provide a catalyst to develop regeneration initiatives in Haslingden.
£50,000 has been allocated to the Shop Front Improvement Scheme through which business owners in the town centre can apply for grants for 50% of the cost of improving their shop front, up to a maximum of £2000. 27 shops have expressed an interest in the scheme and officers in Regeneration and Planning are working together to process the applications, agree works to be undertaken and provide support for those businesses who will require planning permission for the improvement works.
Rossendale firm, Gumblasters, will be deep cleaning the pavements in the town centre in March to remove all the chewing gum from the pavements and give them a really thorough clean. On 4 and 5 March the Task Force are working with Love Haslingden and Haslingden Primary School on a community clean up as part of the national Clean for the Queen event.
Haslingden Task Force is working with Design company Osprey, who developed the Visit Rossendale visitor guide and website, and local community group Love Haslingden on some exiting ideas for promoting Haslingden town centre including a brand for the town, website and town trail leaflet. Both organisations are bringing further ideas to the next Task Force meeting in March.
The Task Force is also working with Lancashire County Council to improve the on street parking provision in the town to provide extra parking where possible and tighten up parking restrictions where it is unsafe to park.
Cllr Alyson Barnes, Chair of the Task Force said “Things are really starting to happen now though the Task Force and by working together with businesses and community groups in Haslingden, we can really make a difference to the town.”
Haslingden Task Force was set up in 2014 to bring together people who are involved in services or activities in Haslingden to identify key regeneration issues affecting the town and potential projects or activities which could be delivered to help boost the economy.