Revised government grant bid to transform Northampton's Market Square due to be submitted

A revised bid for government money detailing how Northampton's Market Square will be transformed using the cash is set to be submitted.

On Boxing Day, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government announced Northampton would receive £8.45 million from its Future High Streets Fund, along with 71 other places.

But because this was lower than the original £12.2 million bid, the cash will instead be used solely for the Market Square project and not to redevelop Waterloo House.

Tim Hadland, a board member of Northampton Forward, the group behind the bid, and Northampton Borough Council cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise said: “The size of the award is almost exactly the amount we had earmarked for our planned work on Market Square.

“This was a top priority for both the board and the public and we’re delighted that we’re able to bring this scheme forward, which will be the catalyst for future development across the town centre.

“Our original bid would have covered redevelopment of Waterloo House at the southern entrance to the square.

“This site has been acquired by a private developer since our plans were made public and we are keen to see how this site will be brought back into use.

“So it has been reasonably simple for us to outline what we plan to do with the Government funding being made available, and we submitted details of that on Friday.”

The revitalised Market Square would include improved paving, a transformed trader presence, stepped seating, increased event space, more trees and a fully-integrated water feature, following public consultation.

Northampton Forward also wants to convert Waterloo House in the square into flats and offices but the scheme will no longer be supported by the Future High Streets Fund.

Once the government approves the updated plan, the next stage will be to consult with the public and other stakeholders again to develop and refine the more detailed Market Square design.

Tricker’s managing director Martin Mason, who is also a Northampton Forward board member, said: “Few towns possess a better market square than Northampton and news that funding has been secured will create a new attractive environment for residents, visitors, and businesses in this historic space in the heart of the town centre.

“The initial designs show that the heritage features of the square will be preserved along with creating more open space for use by everyone, a hugely important step towards celebrating Northampton’s rich heritage as a market town.”

A separate bid has been made for £37.2 million from the government's Towns Fund for a range of redevelopment projects in the town centre, including the old Marks and Spencer and BHS stores.