A town being hailed as a 'vanguard' for change is pushing ahead with plans to revitalise its town centre.
Heywood, a town straddling the border of Rochdale and Bury, is set to benefit from a £20m Towns Funding injection aimed at rejuvenating key buildings and the high street.
The Heywood Town Board will be tasked with deciding how best to allocate these funds.
Initial stages of the project are already underway, with refurbishments taking place at Heywood Civic Centre, including the installation of a new bar, seating, lighting and sound systems.
Peine Square, at the base of the civic centre, is also set to receive upgrades, with new seating, footpaths, enhanced gardens and a flexible event space in the works.
Alex Norris MP, Government minister for local growth, visited the area this week, commending the town's swift application to the government for funding, which he considered to make Heywood a 'vanguard' among the 55 other towns that received similar funding last year.
Elsie Blundell, MP for Heywood and Middleton North, said "I am proud of Heywood and everything it has to offer. Heywood has an opportunity – with Labour Government support – to invest in itself and shape its own future. Having the Minister here shows we can move towns like ours up the Government Agenda and shape the place we live in.
"I want to thank Alex for responding to my invitation, coming to the town and meeting people from Heywood, who believe in this place's Heywood's future."
Mr Norris, recently participated in a tour of regeneration initiatives in Rochdale and Littleborough alongside local MP Paul Waugh. The minister was briefed on two significant projects, the Station Gateway and Hare Hill House, which have collectively received over £20 million in government funding.
During his visit to Rochdale's Station Gateway, he learned about plans for the construction of new social housing, the creation of public park spaces, and the enhancements to infrastructure surrounding the railway station. In Littleborough, the minister visited Hare Hill House to learn about its role as a vibrant hub for community groups, charities, and events.
Mr Waugh said afterwards: "It was great to welcome Alex to Rochdale and Littleborough and show him the impact of the funding we've secured. From new homes and green space at Station Gardens to the transformation of Hare Hill House by brilliant local volunteers, this is regeneration driven by community priorities.
"I've fought hard to get these funds over the line, and I'm delighted to see the results taking shape."
