Bude Town Council has secured £48,000 in seed funding for the regeneration of the town centre from Cornwall Council. The funding will go towards planning and preparing for a bid to the upcoming Shared Prosperity Fund to regenerate Bude town centre.
At the heart of the regeneration project will Bude’s ‘Triangle’ which sadly lost the Macrocarpa tree which sat at the centre of Bude during Storm Eunice. Whilst still at the concept stage, the Triangle scheme is seeking to make the area into an even more vibrant space for the community and visitors alike. With elements such as a performance area, covered stalls to support local trading, seating and water features; along with much-needed toilets and the retention of a secure green space in the heart of the town centre; many possibilities could be catered for. This will bring in footfall and drive the future viability of the Town Centre.
Scott Mann MP said:
“This investment in Bude is the start of a new approach being taken by Cornwall Council. The towns team in Bude, along with Cornwall and Town Councillors have been working up proposals for the triangle in Bude and wider regeneration packages.
“When the money starts to flow from the Shared Prosperity Fund, Bude will be well placed to access the wider fund. I am genuinely excited about what this will mean for Bude and the wider community. The replacement for the EU funding schemes will be more flexible and directed at local priorities for better outcomes.
Cllr Peter La Broy, CC said:
“Bude Town Team has been working on ideas that will help our Town Centre to be commercially thriving and full of activity for our own community and visitors. The Team felt there is a big opportunity to improve our beloved Triangle by making it larger and including a performance space and small covered stall area that could be used by local groups. Other outline ideas include a single public convenience, an interactive and fun fountain, ecologically sound planting with environmental interpretation and of course, finding a home for some of the wood from our recently lost (to Storm Eunice) Macrocarpa Tree.
“The loss of our big tree has brought into focus the opportunity to make this space something really special for Bude – I am incredibly grateful that the initial funding of £48,000 has been provided by Cornwall Council to get us on our way.”
BSTC Cllr Tony Gibbs:
“As the Chair of The Bude & Stratton Town Team, I am pleased to say that now that Bude and Stratton Town Council has unanimously voted to endorse our Town Teams work and vision regarding the redevelopment of The Triangle, we are looking forward to using the funding received to continue to develop the project ready for delivery. This is a significant project that will help improve the economic development and vibrancy of our town, and it’s is a great start. There is a long way to go, of course, with taking the concept through further design, consultation and planning stages to make it a reality, and the ongoing support from Scott and Cornwall Council is very much appreciated.”
Chair of Bude Area Tourist Board, Linda Winstanley:
“Bude has a wonderful community feel and is equally loved by the many visitors that come to Bude time and time again. Bude Area Tourist Board (BATB) is delighted that the local community has been given the opportunity to explore how we can revitalise this amazing open space at the entrance to the town, and we can’t wait to see how this exciting project moves forward for the town.”
