Farnworth was centre stage at the official launch of the new Greater Manchester Strategy, with the town’s successful regeneration held as an example for others to follow.
The strategy is a ten-year plan to improve public transport, build more homes and boost the economy to ensure everyone in the city region can live a good life.
The official launch last week included various case studies of successful projects and initiatives, including a detailed look at the recently completed Farnworth Green development.
Entitled “A home on the high street – a new approach to creating vibrant town centres”, the video features Farnworth residents and business owners sharing their views on the ongoing regeneration of their town.
It highlights how CAPITAL&CENTRIC’s Farnworth Green development has brought more people to live in the town centre, creating a more vibrant atmosphere, attracting new businesses and creating new jobs.
Among the contributors to the video is new Farnworth Green resident Jack.
He said: “It's very homely. There's a massive sense of community here, so all you have to do now is pop on the roof terrace and there's a few friends up there and people go and sit together.
“And we've built up our favourite food places, where we can go on a little stroll to get out the apartment.”
Salon owner and lifelong Farnworth resident Denise said:
“I think as a community, we deserve something good and to see something nice like Farnworth Green I feel very positive about it, and I know a lot of other people do.
“Just to see it so busy, it's great.”
The development is part of Bolton Council’s wider Farnworth Town Centre Masterplan, which was drawn up in 2019 following extensive consultation with local people.
The town was awarded a grant of £13.3m from the Future High Streets Fund towards several development projects.
Bolton Council allocated an additional £4m as part of funding for regeneration of the borough’s district centres.
Farnworth is set to receive a further £20m over ten years under the government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods scheme.
Alongside Farnworth Green there has been a comprehensive refurbishment of Farnworth Leisure Centre and improvements to public space along Market Street.
Bolton Council Leader, Cllr Nick Peel, said:
“Greater Manchester is leading the way on regeneration and in the reimagining of our town and city centres towards the right mix of housing, hospitality and retail.
“With so many success stories to choose from, to see Farnworth highlighted as an example to follow is testament to the hard work that has gone into its ongoing transformation.
“Whilst Bolton town centre lies at the heart of the ongoing regeneration work, it goes well beyond this, and the successful delivery of Farnworth Green is a great example of how regeneration covers all of our local centres across the borough.”