Business board backs boost

The chairman of the Spalding Business Board says a bid to give the ‘left behind’ town £20m over ten years is the ‘boost it deserves’.

To get the funding from central government announced last week, a body would have to be set up involving local businesses in the town.
And the leader of South Holland District Council Nick Worth said it was ‘perfect timing’ for Spalding given the recent setting up of the Spalding Business Board.
The group, which is soon to consult on the setting up of a Business Improvement District, could have a big say on where the funding promised by government will go.
It’s chairman Craig Delaney, partner at Calthrops Solicitors, said: “I was very happy to read this news as I am hoping this will give the town the much needed boost it deserves.
“Obviously serious consideration and care will be required in assessing need and benefit of any projects to ensure that this money has maximum effect for the town.
“I am sure the Spalding Business Board team will be very happy to lend any input as required to the process.”
Spalding is one of 55 towns in the country Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said had been ‘left behind’ and would be allocated the £20m of funding.
The Voice asked readers what they thought the roughly £2m a year could be spent on.
Several readers urged youth clubs to be created which some felt could help with the anti-social behaviour issues in town.
“Provide somewhere they can go and listen to their music and play sport outside and in”, said Gloria Good.
Kenny Wood said: “Why can’t the council buy up empty properties and use them as pop up shops for local business and local people who would love a high street location to sell and promote themselves?”
Giving more money to the police on the basis the town centre is policed more regularly was also an idea floated.
A number of others including Karen Mansfield and Marie Peace called for some of it to subsidise free or cheaper parking in the town centre while Barbara Pearl argued you could do the same with shop rents.
Zandra Tiitso said: “Have regular events to liven up the town centre, hopefully attracting enough people for it to be interesting for shops to getting filled again.”
Margaret Whittington said the money could be used to purchase vacant properties such as the Old Johnson Hospital. “Restore it to be used for the good of the town,” she said.
Paul Andrew commented: “What about employing a person who could go regularly around the town, picking up litter and even doing a little weeding?”