We have successfully secured £13,378,478 from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities' Levelling Up Fund to support the transformation of Ellesmere Port market hall and pedestrian links, as well as to help bring forward sites for new housing.

We have committed a substantial amount of funding to support regeneration in Ellesmere Port, and this is being used as match funding with the addition of Council funding, this represents a total investment of £14.8m.

We have an ambitious vision and project for Ellesmere Port called Transforming Ellesmere Port Town Centre.

This aims to break the cycle of town centre decline through delivering new footfall and spending power into the heart of the town centre and by investment in low carbon infrastructure to help mitigate against climate change and rising energy costs.

The project has three core elements:

1. Transforming the market

The project aims to radically improve the appearance and thermal efficiency of the market hall. Externally it involves introducing new windows to let more light into the building, install photovoltaic solar panels to generate green energy, and better insulation, making it a more attractive destination and increasing its use of renewable energy. Internally, the proposals include new business-start up space, a children's play area and Changing Place standard toilets to improve accessibility for people with disabilities and their carers. The proposals will radically upgrade the flea market to create a new flexible event space which will allow for a wide range of events to attract new people into the town centre, and also encourage new users to discover the market.

2. Improving pedestrian and cycle access

The project will deliver a safe cycle route from the station to the market hall and along Wellington Road as well as providing new secure cycle parking. The aim is to encourage 'active travel' by making it easier and safer for people to walk or cycle which in the longer term will help reduce congestion and encourage people to make short journeys on foot or by bike which can also help their health.

3. Unlock low-carbon homes

The proposals also include plans to unlock development of new homes in two sites at Civic Offices and at the junction of McGarva Way and Coronation Road. The aim will be to demolish empty or redundant buildings and then work with developers to build new first-time buyer or family homes. The new footfall generated by these new residents will help local shops and should help stimulate new business growth such as cafes and more night-time activities.

Fundamentally the project aims to bring new life and footfall into the heart of the town centre, deliver a significantly reimagined Market Hall with events/business start-up space; and help stimulate the new business start-up elements which will boost pride in Ellesmere Port and deliver the real change that residents want to see

Ellesmere Port regeneration

Transforming Ellesmere Port Town Centre

Transforming the Market Hall

ORIGIN Ellesmere Port

Improving walking, wheeling and cycling access

Unlocking sites for low-carbon homes