Case study

Over £13 million investment in Ashbourne (Levelling Up Fund 2)

£13.3 million from the Levelling Up Fund was awarded to Derbyshire Dales District Council for the Ashbourne Reborn programme.

Transformed public realm

Public spaces will be transformed into attractive locations and event spaces for visitors and residents, with improved accessibility and wayfinding. The improvements will increase visitor numbers in the following areas:  

  • Market Place 
  • Victoria Square 
  • Millennium Square 
  • Shrovetide Walk

Improved public spaces and connectivity 

Ashbourne town centre will become a more welcoming, accessible and safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists with widened footpaths, improved crossings and enhanced traffic management. This will:  

  • connect people to places of interest and the towns heritage  
  • draw visitors into the town centre  
  • attract investment 

Anne Wright, Chair of Ashbourne Town Team said:

We believe the public realm, traffic management and pedestrian projects, which are at the heart of the bid, will be transformational for the town. The success of this initiative is absolutely vital to kickstart the local economy and revive a positive experience in the town centre for residents and visitors.

Ashbourne Methodist church buildings will be redeveloped into the Link Community Hub to provide a multi-purpose community resource, alongside the existing Church function.

This will: 

  • create a significant indoor community events space and performance venue  
  • provide valuable space for meetings  
  • provide flexible work areas with high quality digital provision 
  • upgrade and improve existing hostel accommodation to create modern, affordable family self-catering accommodation  
  • support the provision of sustainable travel options and connectivity to the National Park through the development of a new mobility hub

Find out more about Ashbourne Reborn

Find out more about Levelling Up

Updates to this page

Published 24 October 2023