Scheme to regenerate town centre high street gets £1.5m funding

The For Tyldesley High Street Heritage Action Zone is one of just two community-led groups to get the nod out of the 67 chosen across the country to receive funding.

The group is led by Ian Tomlinson who also runs the Driven service providing transport for people at risk of social isolation and has been involved in social enterprise, most notably with Spring View-based concern Fix It, for many years.

For Tyldesley is also working in memory of Paul Kinsella, who came up with the original plan with Ian but, sadly, died earlier this year.

Ian said: “I’ve lived in Tyldesley for five years and Astley for years before that and I’ve watched it decline. It came from a conversation in the pub with Paul. He was a builder and property developer and I’m a bid writer, so we said that if I could get the money he could rebuild this town and make people proud of it again.

“I found this Historic England pot of money and when I went through the criteria we ticked every single box. It was such a nice strategic fit between what we wanted to do and what they wanted to happen.

“Since Paul died it’s been humbling and reassuring to know that loads of local people have stepped up and offered to get involved with improving our high street.

“Through our initial outreach last year and engagement through social media it has proved to me that most people still believe in the town and want to see it thrive again.”

For Tyldesley will first focus on six buildings most in need of repair, including the shop next to the Half Moon pub, which will act as a base for the project. For Tyldesley will provide 80 per cent of renovation money with landlords expected to contribute.

Ian admits that the Covid-19 pandemic’s enormous effect on retail has led to some people in Tyldesley potentially rethinking their involvement, but he hopes that once the first group of landlords who are committed to the project have their premises done up other businesses and organisation will be keen to get involved.

He also thanked Wigan Council for endorsing the Tyldesley scheme, which was a particularly notable act of generosity as the town hall was also successfully securing Historic England backing for its King Street regeneration project from the same funding pot.

It is not all about bricks and mortar, with the four-year project looking to work on community engagement activities and cultural events for the town.

Ian said: “We want to celebrate the heritage of the town and bring people together on the high street when its safe to do so.

“For Tyldesley wants to create a legacy that will last beyond the initial funding. Part of this will involve recruiting local volunteers who are keen to contribute to its development, advocate for marginalised groups and build a sustainable and resilient community for many generations to come.

"This was Paul’s vision and we want to make him proud.”

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