The £15.2-million transformation of Ashbourne town centre will start in 2023 after government in January 2023 approved an exciting Levelling Up Fund bid.

“Ashbourne Reborn”, led by Derbyshire Dales District Council, was developed through close working with local partners who brought forward project ideas, identified opportunities and raised match-funding for the bid.

The partners include Ashbourne Town Team, Ashbourne Town Council, AshCom, Ashbourne Methodist Church and Derbyshire County Council.

Partners are now developing more detailed plans for the two-year development project focused on three distinct project areas.

The first is a series of transformed public spaces including Market Place, Victoria Square, Millennium Square and Shrovetide Walk, while the second project focuses on a new community hub, transforming the Methodist Church into a multi-purpose community building. The hub will provide a wide range of event and meeting spaces, a performance venue and flexible work areas with high quality digital provision.

New traffic management plans will transform the pedestrian experience in Ashbourne by widening footways and providing new and improved crossings as part of the third project.