£15 MILLION INVESTMENT IN BOLSOVER DISTRICT

2025 is a big year for Bolsover!  Following resubmission of a comprehensive investment plan done before Christmas, confirmation has been received that Bolsover District Council will receive £15million committed funding to deliver a number of regeneration projects to benefit the entire district. Dragonfly Management (Bolsover) Ltd has since been appointed to lead on the projects, on behalf of Bolsover District Council, with a view to securing the very best outcomes for local people.

The projects will include improvements to the public realm, enhancing shop fronts to help make the area more visually appealing; attracting shoppers and visitors, whilst establishing of a number of creative and community hubs. 

Also included in the investment plan was the redevelopment of prominent buildings in Bolsover town to help create a thriving place people want to visit and work in, the refurbishment of the former church hall in Pinxton and the construction of a Green Skills and Retrofit Skills Centre in Shirebrook. Also included will be a new pavilion/events hub on Shirebrook Market Place.

Public realm and Place Programme

Location: District wide

Public realm improvements in Bolsover town and across key town centres will include: hard and soft landscaping and vehicle routes within pedestrian areas; street furniture (benches, bollards, bins) and better signage. There will be improved welcome entry points; improved lighting and safety considerations, resurfacing and reconfiguring open market square/s for events/outdoor performance/ meeting space; green routes and planting to improve biodiversity, and high impact visual wayfinding and interpretation.

The public realm improvements are pivotal to launch alongside a new place led programme for Bolsover, promoting the area as a great place to live, work, visit and learn; creating a sense of pride in the place and improving the viability and vitality of our key centres. The programme will develop new signage, wayfinding, local art installations and interpretation within our town centres and connect a network of multiuser trails to support active lifestyles and attract walkers and cyclists.

For Bolsover town the improvements will also include integrated connections with the planned new sixth form and local housing developments.

Start date: January 2025

Completion date: March 2028

The budget for this project is £5,000,000.

“Creating connections, and optimising places for everyone to enjoy.”

Shopfront Improvement Scheme

Location: District Wide (excluding Shirebrook as a successful shopfront improvement scheme has already been implemented)

The scheme will provide capital funding to stimulate investment in an improved visual appearance of retail facades and shop frontages.  Works will include: new shop fronts; repair and replacement of all or any part of a shop front visible from the street, new/replacement high quality signage or awnings; or other physical works which improve the visual aspect of the front elevation of the property and enhance the customer experience.

This scheme will directly benefit landlords and tenants of retail or commercial properties, or prospective tenants, and will be delivered first in the market town of Bolsover with potential funding also being allocated to the local centres of Clowne or South Normanton.

Start date: January 2025

Completion date: January 2028

The budget for this project is £1,000,000.

“Investing in local businesses to support a thriving economy.”

The Former Co-op premises

Location: Town End, S44 6DT

The investment will fund the demolition and remediation of this large unused site and prepare concept drawings for the future development of the site. It is envisaged that the initial concept drawings of the redevelopment of the site could influence a temporary use of the site in terms of levels, landscaping and public space. This work will unlock the gateway in to and along Town End, through to the library, high street and onward to Bolsover Castle.

Bolsover District Council will own and have responsibility for the upkeep and future development of the site following project completion.

Start date: January 2025

Proposed completion date: March 2027

The budget for this project is £1,950,000.

“Maximising opportunities for one of Bolsover’s most prominent building locations.”

Green Skills and Retrofit Centre

Location: Portland Drive, Shirebrook

The construction and fit out of a new sub-regional green skills centre, housed in c.9,000 sq. ft. of new industrial workspace, which will accommodate: a retrofit training hub delivering demonstrator zones of existing residential / commercial buildings, as well as training rooms - all to deliver accredited training for the installation of green technologies retrospectively within existing properties. It will also include a workspace for training on additional green technologies, such as electric vehicles, air and gas sourced heat pumps and other new emerging systems / products.

The centre will enable equality of access to training, resources, and equipment to upskill local residents and workforce. The accredited training on all of the low carbon technologies will result in level 3 RQF qualifications and PAS2035 accreditations, leading the way to secure a sustainable future for Bolsover. 

Bolsover District Council will be responsible for managing the site.

Start date: January 2025

Proposed completion date: February 2026

The budget for this project is £2,000,000.

“Investing in our workforce and local skills to secure a sustainable future.”

The Bolsover Community Business Centre

Location: The White Swan Public House, Market Place, S44 6PH

The Bolsover Community Business Centre project will support the community and voluntary sector and create an improved community hub in the former White Swan public house. The new Centre will allow community and voluntary organisations to operate and continue to support and grow the sector in the town, including creative, education and health groups. It will also facilitate multi-agency working in the building and provide a flexible space to hold events and meetings creating improved collaborative working and allowing local businesses and community groups to potentially expand their services.

Start date: January 2025

Proposed completion date: March 2027

The budget for this project is £1,500,000.

“Improving collaborative working and service provision for better shared outcomes.”

Shirebrook Market Place Pavillion

Location: Market Square, Shirebrook, NG20 8AA

The construction of a new landmark building within the Market Square will provide public toilets, market store for trader equipment, and commercial space.  The operational hours of the building will support extended trading hours, evening and weekend events, and generally support the improved public realm delivered through Phases 1 and 2 of the wider Shirebrook ‘Re:imagined’ regeneration scheme.This project will include detailed designs of the scheme, the construction costs and associated professional fees. It forms the final phase of a comprehensive public realm project, across Shirebrook Market Place, which is designed to enhance the visitor experience, and encourage further footfall and increased dwell time into the market square. 

The ownership and responsibility for managing the site will be Shirebrook Town Council.

Start date: January 2025

Proposed completion date: December 2025

The budget for this project is £2,000,000.

“Reimagining the heart of Shirebrook’s Town Centre.”

Pinxton Community Hub

Location: St Helen’s Church Hall, Pinxton, NG16 6HT

The refurbishment of a former Church Hall providing a local community meeting space for community groups.  The building will provide, internally, a multi-purpose hall, community kitchen, toilets, office and storage areas, and externally will provide outdoor seating areas and a secure and enclosed amenity space for the community.  It will include repairs to the exterior of the building, as well as upgrades to the facilities within the building, making it more accessible to more of the community and more energy efficient, reducing the ongoing overheads and running costs.

Start date: January 2025

Proposed completion date: December 2026

The budget for this project is £700,000.

“Giving the Pinxton community a space to belong.”

Creative Makers Retail Outlet

Location: 36/36a Market Place, Bolsover, S44 6PN

It is intended that the Creative Makers Retail Outlet (36/36a Market Place) will be used as a pop-up maker’s space within Bolsover Town Centre to showcase local artists and their creative wares, and artisan products. The space will allow entrepreneurs and local creatives to promote and sell their products and services and provide a key town centre location in the heart of the district, to showcase local talent and enhance the visitor experience.

The pop-up maker’s space will also add to the cultural and arts offer within the town centre and increase footfall to the town centre businesses.

Start date: January 2025

Completion date: December 2026

The budget for this project is £850,000.

“Supporting and showcasing local creative talent in Bolsover town centre.”

Bolsover is brimming with potential, and these projects will ensure that local people and visitors have access to the best opportunities, facilities, and thriving town centres.