Loughborough Gateway scheme approved

Work will start in January on a £2.6million project to regenerate part of Loughborough Town Centre.

Councillors have approved the Bedford Square Gateway Project, which includes improvements to Ward's End and Devonshire Square, and the local authority have appointed a contractor to carry out the work. 

Footpaths will be widened and re-paved. New street furniture will also be added, as well as a large open space in Devonshire Square to host events and markets. 

Council leader Jonathan Morgan said: “I am delighted this important regeneration scheme is now going to get underway.
“It will transform the area around Bedford Square, Ward’s End and Devonshire Square into a much more welcoming and inviting gateway for people visiting the town centre. The pandemic has clearly had a significant impact on the national and local economy, but we are already working on helping the borough to recover. This scheme is a key element of that recovery effort, particularly for Loughborough."

The council has said that there will be some disruption for local businesses in the area, but say they are working with the contractor to keep that to a minimum and there will be no compensation available for shops affected.  

Cllr Jenny Bokor, lead member for Loughborough, said: “I look forward to seeing the scheme progress and hopefully by the time it is completed we will be able to shop and walk about town with more freedom than at present. It could mark the beginning of a new exciting, period for Loughborough town centre."

Some initial work will start in January with the main construction phase due to get underway in mid-February.

More detail is available on the Council website www.charnwood.gov.uk/bedfordsquare2021