Darren Henry MP initially chose and has successfully secured £16.5 million for Kimberley through the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. The successful bid, which was submitted last summer promises to be completely transformational for the Town and the surrounding area.
Flagship plans include the creation of a brand-new business and community hub on the current Parish Hall site on Newdigate Street. As part of this, there would be space provided for small businesses and start-ups, helping to attract new enterprise to the Town and increased broadband provision, a key issue locally. Support is also being made available for existing businesses through a Town Centre grant scheme with Town Centre retail outlets being eligible to apply for funding to improve their facilities and shop frontages, helping to bolster the Victorian charm of the area. This will be coupled with display equipment that will be used to put on events in the Town such as the Valentine’s Festival of Love that commenced last year and was a key driver in bringing people into Kimberley.
Job creation and economic growth is a key focus amongst all the proposed projects, another of which includes the construction of 20 industrial units on the present football ground at Digby Street and a new state of the art sports facility at Swingate Farm with both football and cricket provision on site. The successful bid is also great news for the neighbouring Bennerley Viaduct, a key attraction in the local area where funding has been secured for the eastern ramp which, when constructed, will offer increased connectivity for cyclists between Nottingham and Derby and facilitate easier access to the Erewash Valley trail.
Darren Henry commented “I am thrilled that Kimberley’s Levelling Up bid has been successful in securing £16.5 million worth of Government investment into the Town.
From the moment the Government announced the Levelling Up scheme, I was clear there should be a bid centred on Kimberley and for the past two years I have been working with the Town and Borough councillors and with local residents and businesses to ensure we submitted a strong and successful bid.
I am looking forward to getting these exciting new projects off the ground and ensure that the people of Kimberley and the surrounding area can take advantage of the fantastic opportunities on offer.”
