Tameside Council’s executive cabinet have approved a plan to create a Hyde task force to oversee the regeneration of the town centre.
Following recommendations from the High Street Task Force (HSFT), a Hyde town centre task force will be set up featuring Tameside Council, local businesses and organisations as well as other stakeholders. They will advise on the town centre masterplan and seek out and feedback local opinions on plans for Hyde town centre.
The HSTF, which is funded by central government and managed by the Institute of Place, was announced last year and runs until 2024. The HSTF supports local leaders in town centres and high streets across England.
This support includes expert advice, training, and data shared with local stakeholders in towns and cities, as well as a range of resources online.
Hyde is one of 70 areas in England that can access the HSTF programme and an HSTF expert was appointed who analysed the town centre and identified the barriers to regeneration.
The HSTF expert has identified collaborative working is the main barrier to transforming Hyde town centre. By building stronger partnerships between the council, businesses and the wider community there will be more capacity to make change in the town.
One of the main recommendations from the HSTF was to form a task force of place leaders from across the council, local businesses and the community to shape the strategy for the town, oversee key projects and coordinate plans and activity. This partnership should focus on the needs of the town rather than being council-led, business-led or community-led.
The Hyde Triangle has been identified as an area for growth in the Tameside Inclusive Growth Strategy and is one of the Greater Manchester Growth Locations. The triangle comprises of Hyde town centre, Godley Green and Hattersley.
The programme is part of Tameside Council’s strategy in Hyde. This includes creating a town centre masterplan to meet the needs of the local population and give people more reasons to visit Hyde.
Because of the planned growth in the area, there will be more demand for retail, leisure and services which support the regeneration of Hyde Town Centre.
Cllr Oliver Ryan, Tameside Council executive member for Finance and Economic Growth, said: “By implementing these recommendations we are providing Hyde with a structure of strong partnerships that can progress the town centre masterplan. We’re lucky to have such ambitious stakeholders and local organisations working alongside the High Street Task Force to create this masterplan and make Hyde town centre somewhere we can all be proud of.”
