Aldi bid to open new Goole store
Aldi confirm they are looking to open new store in Goole.
News - Angela Huzulak
June 28, 2021
Great things are happening in Goole” as it is announced that the town has been awarded £25 million to help “reinvent the area”.
Almost two years since it was announced that Goole was one of the 101 towns in the running to receive the cash boost, the UK Government announced on Tuesday that Goole is one of just a handful of areas to have been awarded the full £25 million. The significant boost means the range of projects put forward by the Goole Town Deal Board are a step closer to being given the green light.
Some of the projects which are on the cards include delivering the regeneration of Goole Market Hall, implementing a Property Activation Fund, to breathe new life into town centre buildings, and the renovation of facilities such as Goole Leisure Centre and the Victoria Pleasure Ground. The funding also hopes to improve public transport in the town with plans for the creation of a Goole Station Transport Hub and the establishment of faster, direct rail services between Goole and Leeds. Work to improve flood bank defences could also be given the go ahead and a new cycleway implemented along the Dutch River. Residents in Old Goole could also benefit from the installation of full fibre broadband to help bring internet for homes and businesses up to speed. Andrew Percy MP has said the news is “fantastic” for the town and is more than expected. He said: “To be one of just a few towns to have received the full £25 million from the Government is amazing and I am pleased to have played my part in securing this funding to regenerate Goole. “The aim of this funding is to make Goole a better place to live and work. It will fund multi-million pound upgrades to leisure facilities such as the Leisure Centre and the VPG, which is something Cllr Josie Head fought passionately for before her passing. “Great things are happening in Goole with all of the investments at Goole 36 but the town centre remains in desperate need of attention. There is no easy solution to the change in shopping habits which is causing problems to town centres across the country, but this funding offers us a unique opportunity to try to address that.” He added: “I’d like to thank the East Riding Council and the Town Deal Board members, under the Chairmanship of Joseph Richardson, for all their work.” The major capital funding was confirmed on June 8 and follows Goole Town Deal Board’s submission back in January for an ambitious Town Investment Plan, focussing on attracting further investment, driving economic growth, regeneration and recovery.
Chaired by local business owner, Joseph Richardson, the board was formed in March 2020 after Goole was selected as one of 101 towns which were invited to apply for funding from the Government’s Town Deal Fund. Shaped through the Goole Town Deal Board made up of local strategic ambassadors, alongside significant public engagement and involvement, the ambitions have been hailed a success. The ‘deal’ will focus on Goole town centre and aims to create opportunities for the reinvention of public spaces, and help improve skills leading to higher paid jobs in the area for local people. East Riding of Yorkshire Ward Councillor and recently elected Goole Town Councillor, Anne Handley has sat on the town board since it began and says this is an exciting time for our town. She said: “I am delighted that Goole has been awarded the £25 million. I have had the privilege of sitting on board from the start and as an East Riding Councillor and now Goole Town Councillor, I couldn’t be more proud. “However I couldn’t let this momentous occasion pass without also mentioning the late Councillor and former Josie Head, for the contribution that she made while on the board, to enhance our wonderful town. I know she would be over the moon with this great news. “Ladies and gentleman, it's game on.”
The next phase of the project will involve consideration of the Government offer to determine if there is any need to reprioritise projects before advancing with full project business cases, planning, practicalities and, ultimately, delivering the projects. East Riding of Yorkshire Council, as the accountable body for the fund, and the Town Deal Board will now have a three week period to sign a Heads of Terms agreement with Government. Following that, a further two months is given to prepare more details on each of the proposals and then progress business cases. The ‘deal’ will operate from 2021 to 2026, coinciding with the bicentenary year for Goole. Joseph Richardson, chairman of the Goole Town Deal Board, said: “This is a truly exciting and unprecedented time for Goole. The fantastic news that the Government would like to offer the town significant investment validates the many hours of work, research and engagement that have been dedicated to pulling together a compelling and deliverable Town Investment Plan. “I’m overjoyed the board has secured the funding ask towards the vision and would like to thank everyone who took part in public engagement to share their priorities for investment. “The most important element when deciding which projects we’re taking forward is the collective contribution they make to the overarching vision, strategy, and objectives we set out in the Town Investment Plan. We have to consider the key benefits we’re aiming to achieve for Goole as well as what mix of projects will unlock the town’s potential and make the greatest overall contribution to realising the strategy and objectives. We’ll also be considering which projects best address market failure and have the greatest potential to bring in long term investment to Goole.” The range of interlinked projects will draw on lessons learned from COVID-19, and further boost the ongoing recovery work. The strategic vision is being backed by a significant private sector investment package at Goole 36 that will complement investment in the town centre.
East Riding of Yorkshire Ward Councillor for Goole, Nick Coultish said this news will bring a real buzz to Goole. He said: “This news is unbelievably exciting for Goole and marks a turn in attitudes and ambitions. We have all been working towards this for some time and I'm delighted the Government awarded us the full amount we bidded for. The hard work starts now though, with the Town Deal starting to thrash out the detailed business plans and I'll be involved in some of the working groups that will help get that detail. "As I've been saying for over a year now, this really is an opportunity for us all to be excited about and I think attitudes are changing in Goole and there really is a buzz around the town with a tangible air of anticipation. As a proud Gooligan I'm at the forefront of the celebrations whilst also rolling up my sleeves to help with the hard work.” To find out more about Goole Town Deal visit www.gooletowndeal.co.uk
Pictured are East Riding of Yorkshire Ward Councillors, Barbara and David Jeffreys, MP Andrew Percy and East Riding of Yorkshire Ward Councillors Nick Coultish and Anne Handley, celebrating the news that Goole has been awarded £25 million in funding. (10-06-77 SU)
