Loughborough Town Deal Event: A Positive Look at Where the Town Is Heading
Graham Soult, a Fellow of the Institute of Place Management, recently spoke at Loughborough’s Town Deal Impact and Opportunity Business Lunch, an event bringing together partners, businesses and local leaders to reflect on the progress being made through the town’s regeneration programme.
The event highlighted the scale of activity underway in Loughborough, with more than £50 million of investment delivered through the Town Deal, supported by £16.9 million in Government funding. Eleven projects are now underway or completed, contributing to improvements in the town centre, new visitor attractions, and investment in skills and education.
Graham closed the event with a reflective overview of how Loughborough’s developments sit within wider high street trends across the UK. Drawing on his national perspective, he spoke about the improvements he had observed locally, including changes to the public realm around the Market Place, growing activity in the town centre, and occupancy levels that compare favourably with many other locations.
His remarks also emphasised the importance of strong local partnerships, a balanced mix of uses, and continued support for independent businesses in sustaining vibrant town centres.
The event also featured contributions from Martin Traynor OBE, Cllr Jewel Miah, Corrie Harris and local business owner Richard Naylor, who shared updates on how Town Deal projects are contributing to Loughborough’s economic development and regeneration.
Events like this provide an opportunity to reflect on progress while connecting local activity with wider national conversations about the future of high streets and town centres.
About the author
Formed in 2006, the Institute of Place Management is the international professional body that supports people committed to developing, managing and making places better.