WYCHAVON has pledged its commitment to the transformation of Evesham Town Centre after missing out on vital funds from the Government.
It has been confirmed Wychavon’s £19 million bid to the Levelling Up Fund has been unsuccessful.
The money would have been used as part of a £100 million revamp of the Riverside Shopping Centre and the town’s main shopping area. The proposal includes a theatre and cinema complex, a hotel, restaurants, cafes, bars, and independent retail outlets, as well as the potential for new high quality homes.
The ambition is to open up the heart of the town centre to make the most of views over Abbey Park and the River Avon. The proposal will also reconnect the main shopping area with Evesham’s heritage assets like the Bell Tower, the churches of All Saints and St Lawrence’s and Abbey grounds, and the Almonry Museum.
The application to the Levelling Up fund was part of Wychavon’s efforts to bring to life the vision set out in the Evesham Town Centre Investment Prospectus. Wychavon has already pledged £4 million to the project.
Coun Bradley Thomas, Leader of Wychavon District Council, said: “Our application encompassed everything levelling up is – creating opportunities for lasting transformational change – so we are disappointed we have been unsuccessful.
“We are undeterred though. Residents and businesses tell us they want to see action to support and revitalise Evesham Town Centre and we share that desire. That’s why we are committed to making the vision set out in the Evesham Town Centre Investment Prospectus a reality.
“We will review any feedback we receive from the Government about our application and consider our next steps, which will include looking for other sources of funding.”
Nigel Huddleston, MP for Mid Worcestershire, said: “I am naturally disappointed that we were unsuccessful in the latest round of Levelling Up funding, but I will continue to work with all stakeholders on developments that will enhance our community and I will continue to seek opportunities to bid for future government funding.”
