Welcome to Regeneration Telford and Wrekin. Here we will bring you regular updates on the transformational regeneration projects that the Council is delivering in the borough, projects that will transform local economies and create a brighter future for everyone. These projects will truly make Telford a great place to live, work, study and visit.
The Council has already delivered Southwater, bringing new shopping, dining and entertainment venues to Telford, generating millions in the local economy each year. The success of Southwater is driven as well by the Council’s active programme of cultural events, bringing large music acts and festivals to the Town Park. This programme delivers regeneration through culture, making it accessible to all through free events, creating a real ‘feelgood’ factor.
The regeneration of the Town Centre is now continuing with the development of Station Quarter which will bring town centre living and learning to Telford, creating a transformation in the town’s education offer that will offer pathways to good quality jobs for all our residents.
As important to Telford’s success as the Town Centre, the Council is also regenerating the historic towns of Wellington and Oakengates, both of which have the potential to make a significant contribution to the town’s economy. We are already bucking national trends through our investment in their high streets and businesses. In Telford only 4.4% of retail units stand empty, significantly below the UK national average of 13.9%. The Council has been helping new independent business to launch through it’s Pride in Our High Street initiative with more than £10m invested over the last three years. This investment has generated more than 60 new high street business start – up’s, awarded over 300 grants to businesses and invested in high street infrastructure to transform the look and feel of our high streets.
The Council is now delivering exciting new regeneration projects in Wellington and Oakengates which focus on the redevelopment of the significant assets of each town. In Oakengates the redevelopment of a 1960’s shopping precinct and the transformation of a 60-year-old theatre building will create an exciting cultural hub that will draw local and visitor footfall to the town. In Wellington we are creating new retail, living and business spaces in new public realm settings. The acquisition and restoration of Wellington’s historic market and the creation of a new community and cultural hub will complement the great independent shopping offer now growing in Wellington through the Council’s start up grants to business.
