A NEW “textile academy,” a major refurbishment of a local wetlands and the reopening of town centre toilets are among the first wave of schemes to benefit from a £58m funding scheme.

Other schemes in Keighley and Shipley to get the funding include a new creative centre and an enterprise hub.

Last year it was announced that Keighley and Shipley had been successful in its bid to the Government’s Towns Funds, with Keighley getting £33m and Shipley awarded £25m.

And yesterday it was revealed that the first £7m worth of schemes have been given the final sign off.

First announced in late 2019, the Government’s Towns Fund scheme would see up to £25m awarded to 100 towns across the UK that were deemed to be in need of regeneration.

Although Shipley and Keighley were both named as beneficiaries, the cash was dependant on Towns Fund boards in these areas drawing up ideas that the Government felt were worth funding.

Redevelopment of former Hattersley's site in Keighley town centre is approved

The first full business cases for the first Towns Fund projects, worth £7m, were submitted earlier this year, and have now been approved.

Projects in Keighley that have been successful include the Women Employment Project – which will establish a textile academy in the town designed to help more women into work.

The project will “deliver a bespoke skills training package for local women from diverse backgrounds to their access to skilled work.”

The funding will provide an annexe to an existing building in the town to house sewing machines and equipment.

There will also be funding for Keighley Creative Community Hub in the town, cash to help run the annual Keighley Art and Film Festival.

In Shipley the funding will lead to the development of an Enterprise Hub at Shipley Library, as well as an upgrade to exhibition space at the facility to “showcase local entrepreneurs, craftspeople, makers and small businesses including support, mentoring and training opportunities, networking events and workspace facilities.”

Preparations underway for final stages of Keighley and Shipley's multi million pound 'Towns Fund' proposals

At Wrose Quarry Wetlands the funds will help to regenerate the heritage site at Wrose Hill/Quarry, including adding footpaths, improving biodiversity by creating new wetland features, tree planting and the addition of new recreational features.

The first project in Shipley is likely to be a refurbishment and reopening of the public toilets in the town square. In 2013 Bradford Council controversially announced it would be closing the town centre toilets as part of budget cutting exercises.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Shipley Market in the town squareShipley Market in the town square

Both towns will also get funding to support business to become more productive, helping them to modernise and diversify to be more competitive and to increased productivity and safeguard jobs.

Business cases are still being developed for the rest of the Keighley projects including town centre improvements, a Manufacturing, Engineering Future Technologies Hub, a Community Grant Scheme, a Keighley Skills Hub and funding for the Health and Wellbeing Centre and will be submitted to Government over the coming months.

The skills hub will likely be based in the same building as the health hub – which is currently planned for the former Keighley College site on North Street.

For Shipley business cases are being prepared for a Development Investment Fund, town centre and infrastructure improvements, a community, art and future technology centre, a health, wellbeing and community campus and a Sustainable Community Hub.

Both towns will also get funding to support business to become more productive, helping them to modernise and diversify to be more competitive and to increased productivity and safeguard jobs.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “I’m delighted with the progress of the funding bids for both Keighley and Shipley Towns Funds. This money is set to make a real difference people living in Shipley and Keighley and their surrounding areas.”

Ian Hayfield, chair of Keighley Towns Fund Board, said: “This is an important milestone and I’m really keen that we keep up the momentum, so that we can really make a difference for the people of Keighley.”

Adam Clerkin chair of Shipley Towns Fund Board, said: “This funding provides real opportunities for the people of Shipley and we look forward to seeing these projects come to life.”