The ambitious plan to regenerate five towns at once

There are ambitious plans to transform five towns in just one Greater Manchester borough, but the question is how the council will manage the scale of the job.

Tameside was formed in 1974 after government legislation consolidated nine separate towns and their individual local authorities. These include Ashton, Dukinfield, Hyde, Mossley, Stalybridge, Denton, Droylsden and Longdendale.

After decades under the same roof politically, each town still reflects an identity with its own individual needs.

When it comes to dishing out cash for projects, Tameside Council has forever been criticised for prioritising one town or another – no matter where the money goes.

When out and about in Hyde and Stalybridge recently, the Local Democracy Reporting Service is repeatedly told that ‘all the money goes to Ashton’. But Ashtonians will say money isn’t spent on them, but elsewhere.

It’s a constant losing battle for the council, but now they’ve got major regeneration plans underway for five out of the nine areas they cover.

After getting millions of pounds worth of Levelling Up Funding in the last few years for Ashton, Stalybridge and Denton, evidence of progress is becoming clear. Tameside’s civic centre, Ashton, is currently a building site at the foot of their main council building – Tameside One.

Market Square has been taken over by construction workers as they get started on three town centre projects following the cash injection of £20m from the Levelling Up fund.

Construction has also been going on at the civic hall in Stalybridge – so the council is so far making good on their promises on that major project as part of a £19.9m plan.

The Levelling Up plan to use £17m in Denton has been stalled in recent time as the new Labour government had to reassess the funding, but cash has recently been unlocked.

With masterplans for Droylsden and Hyde also ready to go, the big question is how the local authority will keep up the momentum. The council are leading on many of these projects themselves, though they have backing from private investors and contractors.

Elsewhere in the council, children’s services is currently getting a huge overhaul after being put into special measures by Ofsted just over 18 months ago – sparking turbulence both internally and politically. They have a new children’s services director in Jill Colbert who is hoping to get them back on track, but like these town regeneration projects, it will take years.

Managing so many different major projects simultaneously whilst overseeing a children’s services overhaul begs the question of whether the local authority has the budget and the staff to do it.

You could expect this of Manchester City Council, who have a bigger capital budget and more staff to pull it off.

However, Tameside council believe they have what it takes to match their ambitions.

As the council has finite resources to deliver the projects from their own capital funds, they are reliant on grants and funding pots from the government and private investors to deliver on their plans.

The local authority says they have already got over £100m invested but plan to get more.

The town hall boss for growth says they are already making strong progress on all their plans, but further networking with development partners will be required to follow through.

Tameside Council’s Strategic Growth Director, Nicola Elsworth, explained how they intend to deliver on their major proposals: “Delivering multiple town centre masterplans across Tameside is a bold and complex undertaking that we are fully committed to.

“Each plan reflects our ambition for inclusive growth and vibrant, economically resilient communities. While the scale and scope of these projects are significant, we are already making strong progress.

“With finite local resources, we are successfully bidding for and capitalising on national and regional funding streams to bring our vision to life.

“Over £100 million is already being invested across our town centres, but to fully realise our ambitions, we must continue to attract further funding and development partners.

“To maximise the exciting opportunities and benefits for Tameside, the council established a Strategic Growth Unit (SGU) in March 2025. This unit has the sole focus of driving and accelerating growth across the borough, working closely with all departments across the council and key partners.

“This approach aligns well with Government policy to devolve power and drive growth at the local level.

“The SGU works very closely with GMCA and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to deliver our ambitious growth plans and continues to nurture strong relationships that have been built with other partners including the Homes England, various statutory consultees, MPs, the private development and investor market and consultants to lever investment into the borough.

“Through close partnership working, joint integrated investment plans are enabling the council to secure funding and expertise to drive forward town centre regeneration and new development that achieves high quality, sustainable place making to ensure our communities benefit from planned growth.

“This approach will also help to ensure there is sufficient resource within the council for the delivery of the ambitious growth programme for our town centres. ”

Here is a breakdown of each town centre project…

Ashton

Where the old market stalls previously sat has been bulldozed as workers prepare to erect a large canopy containing 10 market kiosks.

The building site used to house 104 fixed market stalls and eight kiosks. This is a costly project at £14.6m, but the canopy is not the only scheme underway in the area at the moment.

Just next to the square, the market hall will get some titivation and creative spaces as well as additional food and drink offers.

According to town hall chiefs, they want to be on the ‘front foot’ to meet the changing demands of locals following a steady decline in retail options.

The new covering will provide outdoor market traders with protection from the weather and is expected to become a hub for events and cultural activities.

Market Square sits in the shadow of Ashton Town Hall, which had been surrounded by scaffolding for a long time. But £3.4m works restructuring the building façade have now finished.

There is a long-term hope to refurbish the inside of the historic building as well, but there isn’t any cash for that at the moment.

Just behind Arcades Shopping Centre from Market Square is the last piece of the Levelling Up puzzle. The old bus station site became redundant after Ashton Interchange began operating on Wellington Road in August 2020.

The local authority spent £1.8m acquiring the site and demolishing what was left before they carry out the last of the remediation works in Autumn this year. The land would then be made available for redevelopment options.

The council is working with the owners of the shopping centres on a long-term strategy on how this section of land will be regenerated.

Tameside Council said: “In Ashton, the transformation of Market Square is well underway and due for completion in Spring 2026.

“The next phase will be led by the Ashton Regeneration Partnership, which will shape the future of key sites including St Petersfield, The Arcades, Ladysmith Shopping Centre, and the former bus station and leisure centre.

“We will soon be seeking development partners to help deliver this next stage which will be driven by the Ashton Mayoral Development Zone (AMDZ) Board.”

How pedestrians could move about Ashton town centre after traffic is re-routed. Credit: Tameside Council

Denton

The final town in Tameside that has received Levelling Up funding is Denton. They received £16.8m in the third round of funding at the end of 2023.

That funding was officially released at the beginning of August. The project had been stalled as the funding needed to be validated by the new government following the last general election.

The cash will be used to improve public realm and active travel options as well as works at Denton Town Hall and the repurposing of the Festival Hall site.

The public realm across the town centre and Victoria Park will benefit from significant improvements too, according to council plans. These will include improved pedestrian and cycling routes, cycling parking and work which will support the Denton Mayors Challenge Fund (MCF) Crown Point Scheme.

Tameside Council said: “In Denton, an initial £4.5 million was unlocked from the Government, with a further £12.2 million now confirmed following the Government’s Spending Review.

“Public consultation on the emerging masterplan is about to begin, and the full programme is expected to be delivered by March 2028.”

Denton Town Hall And Library. Credit: Google Maps

Droylsden

Back in May, the masterplan for Droylsden was officially approved by town hall bosses.

The long awaited vision for a canal park connecting a transformed Droylsden town centre to its marina – which seeks to rectify the issues holding the town back.

According to the masterplan, the area is run down, with iconic buildings such as the Concord Suite in a dilapidated state. With key infrastructure such as Metrolink already operational, there is belief among planners that it can undergo ‘transformational change’ and become a go-to spot for locals and punters from further afield.

The canal park, new public realms and a transformed shopping centre are all touted for the town just four miles from Manchester city centre.

The crown jewels of the plan would be the new canal park and a reimagined Concord Suite. The iconic building in the heart of the town plays a key role in the image of the town as it is visible from the main road junction and from the tram stop.

Currently there is consultation underway about how to best redevelop the space. The options are to redevelop; part-demolish and redevelop; or a full demolition of the 1970s building.

Tameside Council said: “In Droylsden, we’ve approved a long-term masterplan shaped by community feedback and backed by Homes England and GMCA.

“The plan includes reopening the historic canal, revitalising public spaces, and redeveloping key sites like the Concorde Suite and Droylsden Shopping Centre.

“A further £163,000 has been secured to develop detailed designs and deliver early public realm improvements.”

Vision for Droylsden in Tameside Council's masterplan. Credit: Tameside Council

Hyde

Last year the Hyde masterplan – which would see the town change beyond recognition – was approved.

A repurposed town hall, the overhaul of Clarendon Shopping Centre, creation of a more attractive public realm and a redesign of the markets are all touted in the plan. The masterplan captures how the town could be redeveloped over the next two decades.

The shopping centre itself would be the most significant changes proposed on the plan with a key aim being to demolish it. This would then make way for a new shopping development which would rehouse the indoor market.

The public realm upgrades to Market Square will prioritise the use of the square for cultural events, festivals, pop-ups, and placemaking activities that bring vibrancy, excitement, and diversity to the town centre.

The idea behind this is to link the newly refurbished shopping centre and Market Square to the town hall, just across the road. This goes towards one of the masterplan goals of making Hyde Town Hall a ‘regionally significant cultural destination’.

Tameside Council said: “In Hyde, the 2024-approved masterplan is already delivering visible change. Through the Hyde Accelerator Partnership, we’ve upgraded the Market Ground, enhanced Millennium Park, and hosted a series of successful community events.

“The UK Shared Prosperity Fund, High Street Task Force, and Flexible Local Authority Grant Scheme have supported this work.

“With initial improvements nearing completion, we are now seeking further funding and to maintain momentum which was always going to be needed.”

CGI of the reenvisaged Hyde Town Hall. Credit: Tameside Council

Stalybridge

Stalybridge is currently undergoing major changes.

The Civic Hall roof works have been completed and further internal works are now underway. Just next door, planning consent has been granted for access improvements at Astley Cheetham Art Gallery & Library, with further permissions requested for new lift.

These two buildings will form the headline acts for what is envisioned for the town.

Civic squares will be regenerated and the road network will be overhauled as part of a multi-million pound vision for the town. Armentieres Square, which is bisected by the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, would act as a centrepiece to the plan – hosting an event space with a stage complimented by new seating and tree planting.

A volunteer garden, improved street lighting and further aesthetic features are all set to become a mainstay in the area. Market Street would be re-established as the ‘gateway’ into Stalybridge with new paving and wider walkways for people – ‘creating a welcoming and joyful pedestrian-focused corridor’.

After council bosses in Tameside gave the nod to the £4.7m plan in June last year, things have now moved forward. The idea behind the scheme is to prioritise pedestrians and improve the appearance of the public squares.

Secured funding of £11.1m will also be used for the delivery of upfront enabling infrastructure to bring forward land for development, attract further investment, and deliver new housing for the town. The infrastructure works for Stalybridge West include a new bridge over the River Tame near Caroline Street for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as a multi-storey car park off Waterloo Street.

Tameside Council said: “In Stalybridge, a £19.9 million regeneration programme is also well underway.

“Improvements to public realm and active travel routes are already being delivered, and work is progressing on our cultural and heritage assets, with completion expected by March 2027.

“At the heart of Stalybridge’s cultural regeneration, the Civic Hall is undergoing significant restoration, with a new events programme being piloted to activate the space and support community use, laying the foundation for a vibrant cultural quarter.

“Plans for Stalybridge West are also advancing, unlocking land for future housing and investment and to get a development partner onboard in 2026.”

CGI of how Armentieres Square, Stalybridge could look. Credit: Tameside Council

What Tameside Council say

Tameside Council’s strategic growth director, Nicola Elsworth, added: “Prioritising the growth agenda for our towns will not only create vibrant town centres and places our residents can be proud to call home, but it will contribute to a significant increase in income from both business rates and council tax growth.

“This will support and protect the future delivery of quality front line services to residents in Tameside whether that’s through social care to children, ensuring our older people are living well at home, and high-quality neighbourhood services.

“Each town centre plan is at a different stage of delivery, and are being delivered in phases, aligned with the specific milestones and spending deadlines.

“These are ambitious, long-term projects that require careful planning, strong partnerships, and sustained investment.

“We are proud of the progress made so far and remain committed to delivering lasting change and accelerated growth for our communities.”