Town revamp pledged

Jan 10 2008 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

COUNCILLORS have pledged £150,000 to a town centre – and told critics to stop running it down.

Kirklees Council’s Cabinet yesterday agreed to offer up to half the costs of sprucing up shops in central Dewsbury.

Shopkeepers in the town will be able to apply for up to £10,000 to improve the appearance of their properties. Eligible work includes repairing or replacing guttering, shop fronts, windows and doors.

The scheme will run from February until March 2010.

Cabinet member and Dewsbury councillor Khizar Iqbal welcomed the cash.

He said: “It’s long overdue and shows that the Conservative administration is committed to Dewsbury. This is fantastic news for all the traders in the town centre. Regeneration is coming forward in Dewsbury.”

Clr Iqbal added that people should stop criticising Dewsbury.

He said: “Some people don’t miss a chance to talk the town down and I’m really fed up with it. I hope people will start talking up Dewsbury.”