£18.6 million to transform Doncaster town centre
An award of over £18.6 million from the Levelling Up Fund will help to transform Doncaster city centre’s retail, leisure and cultural offer.
Key areas of the town will be regenerated to:
- encourage more people to visit
- improve its appearance
The funding will create a better future for:
- businesses
- residents
- visitors
The Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, said:
We are immensely proud of Doncaster and passionate about further unlocking its huge potential as reflected in our recent award of City Status.
Creating a waterfront park and event space
One of the largest urban brownfield sites in the UK sits alongside the River Don in Doncaster. The ‘Waterfront’ development already includes Doncaster College Hub and university centre.
Funding will:
- help acquire and make the land accessible, preparing it for future development
- unlock long term investment in a new marina, park and outdoor event space
Developing Doncaster’s markets
Doncaster’s historic markets have been at the core of the city centre’s regeneration. Funding will develop the Grade II listed Corn Exchange as a home for artists and creatives with:
- pop-up spaces for businesses
- co-working spaces
- a high-end bar
A complementary shop front scheme will also improve retail frontages in the markets estate area.
Improving Doncaster’s Civic and Cultural Quarter
Doncaster’s Civic and Cultural Quarter is transforming the Waterdale area and reconnecting it to the town centre.
The funding will further improve the area by:
- creating a new leisure and hotel facility at St James’ Baths
- demolishing the old Central Library
- regenerating Copley House
The new revised quarter will complement the civic square with:
- street and access improvements
- a family play area
One local resident said:
What really excites me on this proposal is a mix of both developing new for future generations and caring for our past history; St James and the Market are our anchors.
Find out more about levelling up
Photo credit: Ben Harrison
