A NEW £23.6 million investment programme for Runcorn Town Centre has officially been signed off by the government.

The World reported in July how Halton Council had been successful in its bid to the national £3.6 billion Towns Fund - a scheme designed to drive regeneration and economic growth.

On Thursday, the deal was officially signed with the government meaning work can now commence on seven projects designed to revitalise the Old Town.

The initial bid had been for £24.9 million, but a reduced grant of £23.6 million has meant some of the seven projects included in the Runcorn bid have had to be redesigned to take the shortfall into account.

The Runcorn projects outlined for investment, are: 

  • Runcorn Station Quarter £1,245,643: A new enterprise facility as part of the revamped station gateway with offices for town centre businesses.
  • Unlock Runcorn £4,918,025: A project years in the making, designed to harness the town’s canals and waterways for leisure and tourism.
  • Brindley Theatre enhancement £6,606,231: An extension to the Brindley Theatre with a large cafe/restaurant, and a civic space on the Brindley green.
  • Town Centre new homes £960,294: New homes on a variety of sites, which have been left undeveloped due to contamination and other issues.
  • High Street Connectivity £2,820,198: A more pedestrian and cycle-friendly high street.
  • Health and Education Hub £2,853,520: A new health and education facility on the high street providing residents with improved access to a wider variety of health, wellbeing, and training services.
  • Creative and Digital Skills Centre £3,960,089: A skills facility on the high street providing people - especially young people - access to creative and digital play, learning, and training for future employment opportunities.

The Runcorn deal was one of 15 agreements signed this week, which were the last of 101 deals to be put in place across the country.

Neil O’Brien MP, Minister for Levelling Up, the Union and Constitution, said:  "

“I’m thrilled that 101 towns can now drive forward their plans to create more vibrant towns that people across the country are proud to call home.

“In Runcorn this will mean turning vacant buildings into places to live and work."

Adrian Fillingham, chair of the Runcorn Town Board, added: “Each of these projects brings something different (and) something unique that will add real value to Runcorn.