Local business owners Gail Larking and Kathryn Giles-Bowman have joined the Stocksbridge Towns Fund Board – representing town centre businesses as the regeneration of Manchester Road moves to the next stage.
Improvements to the town centre – including a new Library and Community Hub – are central to the town’s £24.1 million plans for Stocksbridge. The funding was approved by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in December.
The next stage in the plans will see planning applications being submitted and the Towns Fund team liaising closely with town centre businesses and stakeholders to deliver the improvements.
As well as the striking new Library and Community Hub the plans for the town centre also include;
Gail and Kathryn will share the role of town centre representative on the board, rotating attendance at board meetings and workshops and liaising with the town’s local business community on the plans.
The Towns Fund board is made up of representatives from local businesses as well as charitable and voluntary organisations and groups – Stocksbridge Town Council and Sheffield City Council are also represented.
Co-chair Miriam Cates MP said: “The biggest part of our Towns Fund investment is centred on the Manchester Road area and as we move to the next stage in the plans it’s going to be really important to have the voice of our local businesses represented on the board.
“We’re really pleased therefore that Gail and Kathryn are joining the board to share their knowledge with us.”
Gail and Kathryn both have more than 25 years’ experience of running a business in Stocksbridge. Gail owns and runs the Business Hair Salon directly opposite the precinct and Kathryn is the owner of Oceanic Beauty Salon.
They have seen many changes in the town over the last three decades and are looking forward to working with the board in its delivery of the transformational investment.
Gail said: “The improvements to Manchester Road are a great source of conversation with our customers, staff and of course other businesses in the town and I’m looking forward to working with Kathryn and other members of the board as the plans progress.
Kathryn added: “This is the most significant investment the town centre has seen in recent history and we are looking forward to being involved with the projects and helping to ensure the best outcome for Stocksbridge.”
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