Castleford Town Centre Partnership

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Castleford Town Centre Partnership
Action Plan 2008-2009
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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
This Plan
This, the second Castleford Town Centre Action
Plan, has been developed by the Castleford Town
Centre Partnership with support from Wakefield
Council using existing plans and strategies as a
basis to develop projects. This plan will be
reviewed in 6 months and updated annually by the
Partnership, so that the progress of projects can
be monitored, and to ensure that the information
is kept up to date. The Partnership has the role
of coordinating and overseeing projects. The key
to achieving the aims, objectives and priorities
within this plan will be to work closely with
other agencies, Council service providers and
developers as required by each project. For more
information please contact Andrew Woodhead on
01924 304958 or email awoodhead_at_wakefield.gov.uk

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Contents

• Page
• Contents 3
• Foreword 4
• Partnership Statement 5
• Introduction 7
• Membership 8
• SWOT Analysis 9
• Strategic Priorities 13
• 1.0 Spaces 14
• 2.0 Links 15
• 3.0 People 16
• Specific Targets- Spaces 17
• Specific Targets- Links 22
• Specific Targets- People 27
• Delivery 33
• Project Details 34
• The Directors 38

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Foreword

• The Castleford Town Centre Partnership Ltd.
• The Partnership was established to drive forward
  the regeneration of
• Castleford, to raise civic pride and a sense of
  community, and to
• promote and develop Castleford town centre as a
  good investment
• opportunity.
• Our aim is to encourage the private, public and
  voluntary sectors to
• work together to create a prosperous town centre
  reflecting its unique
• character and rich history, and create a quality
  environment for its
• residents, workers, customers and visitors.

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Partnership Statement

• Mission Statement
• The vision of Castleford Town Centre Partnership
  Ltd for the town centre is
• We want to develop Castlefords position as a
  proud market town with a unique character and
  individuality,
• reflecting its rich history and building for
  future prosperity of the town. We strive to
  implement
• initiatives providing a safe and secure
  environment and creating a quality shopper and
  visitor experience.

Objectives The basic principle underlying the
Castleford town centre Strategy is to maximise
the potential of the town centre by sustaining
and enhancing its vitality and viability. This is
reflected in the objectives of the strategy, and
also reflected in the objectives for which the
Castleford Town Centre Partnership Ltd was
established, namely

• To seek to raise Castlefords civic pride and
  sense of community

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Partnership Statement Continued

• To co-ordinate retail, commercial, cultural,
  entertainment, tourism and leisure activities in
  the external public areas of the Castleford town
  centre
• To encourage the private, public and voluntary
  sectors to work together to provide a prosperous
  and vibrant town centre and promote a quality
  environment within Castleford town centre for
  visitors, customers, workers and residents
• To promote and support the highest possible
  standards of urban design and management for
  buildings and public spaces within Castleford
  town centre
• To promote a safe, clean and managed town centre
  during the day and night, catering for visitors
  of all ages and local residents
• To promote increased access to Castleford town
  centre by public transport as well as access to
  and safety around the town centre for cyclists
  and pedestrians
• To co-ordinate the views of town centre
  organisations and businesses to ensure the
  consultation and involvement of all town centre
  stakeholders in the production and ongoing
  development of this Action Plan

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Introduction

• The Partnership became a Limited Company by
  Guarantee in the Summer of 2003. The Directorship
  spans many disciplines including retail, local
  charities and local Ward Councillors,
  representing more than eleven organisations.
• There are also several subgroups of the
  Partnership including The Heritage Trust,
  Riverside, Town Centre, and others who work out
  the detail and deliver specific aims. These are
  led by Board members who report to the Executive
  Committee.
• Each Director devotes his or her time and
  energies on a purely voluntary basis in pursuance
  of these goals. Many hundreds of hours have been
  spent debating and now delivering the vision that
  is the Castleford Town Centre Strategy.
• Together with our sponsors, Wakefield Council, we
  have started a journey to promote the delivery
  of many new and exciting projects over the coming
  years.

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Town Centre Partnership Membership

• The organisations represented on the Partnership
• Castleford Heritage Trust
• Carlton Lanes Shopping Centre
• Carlton Lanes Tenants Association
• Castleford Civic Trust
• Castleford Male Voice Choir
• Friends of Castleford Library
• Groundwork Wakefield
• Local business
• Market Traders Association
• Marks Spencer
• Metro
• Nestle
• Wakefield First
• Wakefield Metropolitan District Council
• Yorkshire Art Circus

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
S.W.O.T. Analysis

• Strengths
• Shopping is central to town and easily accessed
• Compact shopping area
• Good rail and bus links with all services within
  easy reach of town centre
• Carlton Lanes- outdoor shopping indoors!
• Range of lower price smaller supermarkets
• New Henry Moore Square on Carlton Street
• Vibrant Indoor and Outdoor Market
• Vibrant street market
• Good car parking around town centre
• Range of lower priced goods
• Newly refurbished pedestrian area
• An active Town Centre Partnership
• Convenient access from surrounding suburbs
• Good road network- close to M1, M62 A1
• Well used Library Service
• Active Community Groups

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
S.W.O.T. Analysis

• Weaknesses
• A lack of better quality retailers within the
  town
• A lack of medium and large retail units within
  the town
• General levels of cleanliness within the town
  centre
• Nothing to attract tourists
• Gateways to town dont create a sense of arrival
• Approaches by foot look neglected
• Perceived shortage of car parking
• Disabled parking provision poorly placed in the
  town
• Car parking charges
• Lack of choice of hotels for visitors
• Lack of co-ordination from Councils service
  deliverers
• Few medium and high priced goods on offer- poor
  retail mix
• Businesses dont always have a commitment to
  maintain the areas around their premises
• Litter and rubbish around the town
• Poor marketing of town
• Lack of types of venues for evening economy for
  families and older people
• Empty shops
• River cuts community in half

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
S.W.O.T. Analysis

• Opportunities
• Combining bus and rail links convenient to the
  town centre
• Development of combined community space with
  Library Museum
• Potential of using riverside as an asset
• Scope to give sense of arrival
• Funding for shop front improvements
• Extension of pedestrianised area
• Improve pedestrian links throughout the town
  centre
• Improve tourist opportunities- making more of our
  hidden heritage
• Encourage young to play an active role
• Better signage of historical sites
• Developers interested in investing in the town
• More specialist markets and events
• History trail
• Increase number, size and quality of shops
• Refurbishment potential of Carlton Street and its
  Bridge Street end.
• Better use of public spaces
• Scope to capitalize on improved transport
  interchange

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
S.W.O.T. Analysis

• Threats
• Loss of parking through an alternative
  development potential of car parking areas
• Range of shops at nearby Freeport and free car
  parking
• Large leisure facilities at Xscape
• Slow processes involved with major development
  projects
• Particular areas attracting anti-social behaviour
  
• Failure to deliver promises
• Slow pace of change
• Night time economy dominated by nearby towns and
  venues
• Proximity of out of town shopping environments
• Easy access to Wakefield/Leeds
• Better marketing of nearby towns
• Carlton Street split into visible sections

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Moving Forward

• The Strategic Priorities
• Spaces To improve public space within the town
  centre.
• Links Integrate transport, make Castleford an
  easy option to visit, and develop a new river
  crossing between the town centre and the north
  bank of the River Aire.
• People Promote and develop opportunities for
  learning and develop Castlefords heritage.

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Targets

• 1.0 Spaces
• 1.1 Development of a Castleford Master Plan.
• 1.2 Implement and maintain a high quality
  cleaning regime on Carlton Street and the
  immediate surroundings.
• 1.3 Maximising Car Parking Provision.
• 1.4 Disabled Access Provision.
• 1.5 Area behind Castleford indoor market hall.

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Targets

• 2.0 Links
• 2.1 Castleford Footbridge.
• 2.2 Castleford cycle link.
• 2.3 Riverside Walk.
• 2.4 Development of gateways to town.
• 2.5 Transport Interchange.

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Targets

• 3.0 People
• 3.1 The Castleford Forum.
• 3.2 Castleford Bridge bicentenary Heritage
  Event.
• 3.3 Roman Bath House.
• 3.4 Carlton Lanes - Castleford in Business
  Programme.
• 3.5 Castleford Markets.
• 3.6 Castleford in Bloom.

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Specific Target Spaces

• 1.1 Development of a Castleford Master Plan
• Context Castleford has undergone master
  planning before, however all these plans are
  now out of date and a new plan would be
  beneficial for the future development of the
  town.
• Aim To set down in a clear and coherent manner
  a plan that brings together all the proposed
  plans and projects in Castleford.
• Objective To appoint consultants to consult
  co-ordinate and develop a master plan which
  can then be published and used as a guide for
  potential investors, developers and the public
  alike.
• Action To lobby Wakefield Council and actively
  encourage those who can aid the process to
  achieve this aim.

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Specific Target Spaces
1.2 Implement and maintain a high quality
cleansing regime on Carlton Street and the
immediate surroundings. Context The
cleansing service in Castleford has been slowly
improving over the last 18 months, but there
are still some issues that need to be
addressed. Aim To build on the existing
service and to improve the level of
cleanliness within the town. Objective To
work with the cleansing team to develop the
service to improve the image of the
town. Action To develop the existing liaison
meetings with Neighbourhood Environment with a
view to improving service delivery.
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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Specific Target Spaces
1.3 Maximising Car Parking Provision Long term
project carried over from 2007 Context The
Partnership recognises that free and ample car
parking is advantageous for nearby purpose
built-out of town shopping facilities.
Castleford is disadvantaged by having pay and
display parking which is limited. Not all of
it is conveniently placed and much is in the
hands of third parties. Aim To maximise and
enhance existing car parking provision. Objective
To seek action from the police to ensure that
legal car parking is undertaken and encourage
car park owners to upgrade and clearly mark out
parking bays. Action Request updates from the
police and support Wakefield Council and
others wishing to add to, or upgrade, parking
provision.
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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Specific Target Spaces
1.4 Disabled Access Provision Long term
project carried over from 2007 Context The
Partnership understands that although the pace of
change is currently slow, there is potential
for a number of large scale projects to start
at the same time. Aim To ensure that there is
appropriate disabled access provision within
the developments which will be undertaken.
Objective To manage the identified change and
ensure that existing disabled access provision
is best placed to meet new use patterns. Action
To develop a system whereby specific disabled
provision is recorded. Work with others to
ensure that where the provision is wrongly
located, it is moved to a more suitable
position.
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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Specific Target Spaces

• 1.5 Area behind Castleford indoor market hall
• Context Since the outdoor market moved to the
  front of the market hall, the area behind the
  hall has been left empty and looking
  abandoned.
• Aims To work with the Partnership, Wakefield
  Markets and interested parties to utilise this
  empty space, which currently attracts anti
  social behaviour.
• Objective To tidy and bring back into use areas
  of land within the town so that there are no
  dead areas that look abandoned and give the
  wrong impression.
• Action To reach a consensus on a way to
  utilise this space to create a better image
  for the town as a whole.

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Specific Target Links

• 2.1 Castleford Footbridge
• Long term project carried over from 2007
• Context Castleford Town Centre is constrained
  by the railway and the River Aire. A new
  upgraded underpass has been built under the
  railway, however the suburbs to the north of
  the town are cut off by the river. This project
  was identified in Hudsons Town Centre
  Improvement Plan 2004.
• Aim To connect the northern suburbs of the town
  with the town centre.
• Objective To encourage people to access the
  town centre on foot, and to develop a scenic
  continuous walkway by the little
  used riverside.
• Action The footbridge is currently under
  construction and is due to be completed in
  January 2008.

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Specific Target Links

• 2.2 Castleford cycle link
• Context It is a long term goal to develop a
  cycle and footway by the side of the river
  Aire. It is also a long term goal to develop a
  Castleford transport interchange.
• Aim As part of the plan to encourage the river
  to be enjoyed and used a cycle route has been
  planned as an integral part of the scheme. This
  project recognises that a cycle link between the
  transport interchange and the cycle path by the
  river Aire need to be linked by a well defined
  and easily identified cycle route, so that the
  river route is linked as an intrinsic part of the
  transport interchange.
• Objective To encourage people to cycle more,
  and use the opportunity to develop the
  transport options at the interchange, so that it
  can be used for trains, bus, taxi, private car,
  cycle and pedestrians.
• Action To lobby Wakefield Council and partners
  to achieve the aim of extending the transport
  preference within the interchange and create
  meaningful links with the river.

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Specific Target Links

• 2.3 Riverside Walk
• Long term project carried over from 2007
• Context Castlefords industrial past turned its
  back on the River Aire. Today the river is
  quiet, tranquil and feels remarkably rural,
  even as it passes through the town. The
  Riverside Walk Project was identified in Hudsons
  Town Centre Improvement Plan 2004.
• Aim To encourage the river to be enjoyed and
  open the opportunity to develop a tourist
  trail.
• Objective To encourage people to walk more, and
  develop understanding and enjoyment of their
  local environment.
• Action To lobby Wakefield Council and actively
  encourage those who want to help develop open
  walkways and improved access around the river,
  to achieve their aims.

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Specific Target Links

• 2.4 Development of gateways to town
• Context Last year the Partnership provided
  extra planters along the central reservation
  of Bridge Street and replanted the Bridge
  Street traffic island. The Partnership wants to
  improve all the gateways to Castleford town
  centre.
• Aim To develop and implement plans to improve
  all the gateways into Castleford to create a
  positive visual image when entering the town
  centre.
• Objective To work with Wakefield Council and
  other active partners to develop and improve
  specific gateway areas to the town.
• Action To lobby for improvements and support
  organisations willing to turn this vision into
  a reality.

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Specific Target Links
2.5 Transport Interchange Long term project
carried over from 2007 Context Castleford has
a very good but rather shabby bus station near
to the town centre. The railway station is well
positioned within the town centre, but it is
outdated. This project was identified in
Hudsons Town Centre Improvement Plan
2004. Aim To encourage more people to access
the town using public transport. Objective
To develop a new integrated public transport
facility for the town. Action Plans have
been drawn up by Metro working in partnership
with Wakefield Council. Metro are driving this
project forward.
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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Specific Target People
3.1 The Castleford Forum Long term project
carried over from 2007 Context Castleford
Library was built early last century. It was
substantially enlarged in the 1950s but is
now inadequate for the needs of the community.
This project was identified in the Hudsons
Town Centre Improvement Plan 2004. Aim To
extend library provision and include a purpose
built library, museum, community and exhibition
space. Objective To build a purpose built
landmark community facility to encompass the
aspirations of the community. Action To
implement a project to build the Castleford
Forum, working in partnership with statutory
bodies and private companies.
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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Specific Target People

• 3.2 Castleford Bridge bicentenary Heritage
  Event
• Context Castleford Bridge was built across the
  river Aire in 1808, making it one of the oldest
  structures in the town. Castleford Heritage Trust
  have traditionally staged a Heritage Festival
  and this year we would like to support a series
  of events that celebrate Castlefords heritage
  linking all the groups and ideas together.
• Aim To promote the town as a destination for
  shopping and family orientated leisure
  activities.
• Objective To instigate a series of events to
  highlight the importance Castlefords rich
  heritage to maximise the towns potential to
  attract the public.
• Action To work with and encourage community
  groups to develop event opportunities within
  Castleford.

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Specific Target People

• 3.3 Roman Bath House
• Long term project carried over from 2007
• Context The site of the Roman Bath House has
  been marked by a small insignificant plaque.
  The Partnership want to celebrate Castlefords
  hidden heritage, putting it on the map. Many
  people in Castleford dont realise the history
  under their feet.
• Aim To install an information board giving an
  informed interpretation of what the site would
  have looked like when the Romans were in
  Castleford.
• Objective To increase public awareness of
  Castlefords long history, tying this into the
  wider pedestrian initiatives around the town.
• Action To encourage and support volunteers to
  actively seek funding and partners to make this
  become a reality.

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Specific Target People

• 3.4 Carlton Lanes - Castleford in Business
  Programme.
• Context As a district it is recognised that we
  lack the entrepreneurial spirit that would
  help our local economy diversify. As a way of
  addressing this Urban Centres Management have
  been working with Carlton Lanes Shopping Centre
  to develop a project to assist entrepreneurs
  in the town.
• Aims To assist entrepreneurs by offering
  business support and subsidised access to
  primary retail space within Castleford.
• Objective To offer short term subsidised leases
  to entrepreneurs to test their retail business
  model within Carlton Lanes Shopping Centre.
  Working with other services to offer business
  advise and support within a controlled
  business environment.
• Action Project developed between Carlton Lanes
  Shopping Centre and Urban Centres Management,
  funding proposal being developed for ERDF.

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Specific Target People

• 3.5 Castleford Markets
• Context To replace the indoor market hall sign
  on the frontage facing Henry Moore Square for
  one which is clear, traditional and more in
  keeping with the Victorian Building.
• Aim To encourage people to shop in the indoor
  market and allow the market to develop and
  grow.
• Objective To promote and extend the appeal of
  the town as a retail centre.
• Action The Partnership will support Wakefield
  Council and market traders to implement
  projects that help promote and expand the
  shopping provision and the visual appearance
  of the town.
• Action To work with and encourage community
  groups to develop and deliver event
  opportunities within Castleford.

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Specific Target People

• 3.6 Castleford in Bloom
• Long term project carried over from 2007
• Context Wakefield in Bloom was developed around
  Wakefield city centre. As a project it is
  viewed very positively by the public. It was
  envisaged to roll this out across the
  district, and Castleford should play a part in
  this.
• Aim To develop Castleford in Bloom with a
  community based approach
• encouraging business and community
  participation and sponsorship.
• Objective To brighten up and improve the town
  centre environment bringing green and floral
  displays together with a co-ordinated approach to
  environmental issues.
• Action Form a Castleford in Bloom steering
  group to oversee and
• co-ordinate this project.

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Delivery

The following schedules identify - How targets
will be delivered. - What will be done. - What
the outcomes will be. - Who is responsible for
which specified action. - Timescales for the
targets implementation.
Castleford Bridge built in 1808
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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Project Details 1.0 Spaces
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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Project Details 1.0 Spaces 2.0 Links
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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Project Details 2.0 Links 3.0 People
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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Project Details 3.0 People
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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Partnership Directors

• Mark Burns-Williamson Councillor Chair
• John Munday Boots UK Deputy Chair
• Dave Wilders Friends of Castleford Library
• Liz Murphy Groundwork Wakefield
• Lorna Malkin Yorkshire Art Circus
• Angie Cockcroft Carlton Lanes Shopping Centre
• Alison Drake Castleford Heritage Trust
• Eric Crossland Castleford Male Voice Choir

• Hughie Hartley Market Traders Association
• Reg Lavine Castleford Civic Trust
• Paul Roberts Metro
• Peter Box Councillor
• Denise Jeffery Councillor Company Secretary
• Anthony Wallis Councillor
• Sylvia Harris Nestle

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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
Notes