£500,000 for Sheffield town is 'proof' government is levelling up the North

Stocksbridge has been given £500,000 to promote regeneration and economic development through the Towns Fund programme.

The money will be spent on outdoor seating and toddler play area for Oxley Park, linked with the cafe at Stocksbridge Community Leisure Centre. It will also pay for new access routes and landscaping plus bike and car parking.

The investment comes ahead of up to £25 million of funding that will be awarded to the town once full plans have been submitted to the Government.

Penistone and Stocksbridge MP Miriam Cates said it was a fantastic boost for the area.

"It will make a big difference in helping us to realise our exciting plans for the town and is testament to the work of the leisure centre board and their team.

“We are currently finalising our overall vision for Stocksbridge, and will be sharing this with local residents before we submit it to the Government for funding approval.

“This additional money is proof that we are committed to delivering on our promise to level up the North and deliver new opportunities to local communities.”

Last year 101 towns across England were invited to bid for Towns Fund money. The Government chose Stocksbridge, saying in a report: "It had an economy dominated by the steel sector, which has experienced various periods of growth and decline over past decades.

"However, the current challenges facing the steel industry stand Stocksbridge out as a potentially vulnerable economy. Added to this, the town displays low household incomes and high levels of deprivation."