Spalding Town Forum chairman warns that £20 million ‘left behind town’ money may come too late to save Spalding

A frustrated community leader says Spalding cannot afford to wait another year for a much-needed £20 million investment to turn around its fortunes.

Spalding was selected over a year ago as one of 55 ‘left behind’ towns that needed extra support but with the loss of long-established firms such as Robert Goddard there are fears that the towns need a shot in the arm now before others follow suit.

Spalding Town Board was established last year to distribute the £20million over a ten year period but has been told by the Government that the main funding and delivery of projects will start from 2026. In the wake of news of Robert Goddard’s departure, traders warned that the fear the town is dying — prompting concerns that this investment is needed much sooner than the current timeline will allow.

One person who feels the money is needed now is Spalding Town Forum chairman Rob Gibson.

He said: “It is very disappointing to find out the Rishi Sunak ‘forgotten towns money’ will be at least another year, maybe more, who knows?

“The then Prime Minister announced the fund in September 2023 to help with 55 forgotten towns up and down the country, 14 months later we are still waiting and our town is still suffering.

“Spalding was classed as a forgotten town after 14 years of Tory rule, nationally and locally that is, and now it's Labour's turn to kick the can down the road.”

South Holland District Council leader Nick Worth feels that the town has a positive future ahead with projects such as the Spalding Business Improvement District (BID) coming on line.

He said the town board will ensure it is ‘ready to hit the road running’ in 2026.

Coun Worth said of the wait: “This is massively frustrating for us as we would like to be able to get on with it now, but at this stage we are also being told they (the government) are looking at the criteria for what we can spend it on, so we are not even certain of that, which makes it incredibly difficult to plan ahead.

“‘Dying town' headlines don't help. Spalding is no different from many towns around the country and towns like us are changing and moving away from retail (due mainly to online shopping) which is well documented, to more leisure related businesses/tourism/heritage and the arts/cafes and restaurants. So the town board will have to take this into account when deciding where and how it intervenes for maximum benefit.

“On a positive note, Spalding BID will shortly be receiving funding from the BID levy to enable it to start work on its business plan to improve and attract more people into the town, building on the stunning new public realm and seating on the Riverside and the much anticipated sheep sculptures in the Sheepmarket.”

Spalding Town Board Chair Robin Hancox said further engagement and planning work will be completed in the next year.

He also said that the board will have £200,000 in the meantime - but this can’t be used on the main programme of works.

Mr Hancox said: “It is clearly disappointing to see the closure of the Robert Goddard store.

“Our consultation last summer highlighted that local people would like to have a better town centre experience, and the board is committed to working with the community and our partners to bring improvements that will allow Spalding to thrive, long into the future.

“In the October budget, we received the great news that the government funding announced for the town in October 2023 will be retained. This confirmation means that £20million funding will be invested in Spalding over a ten year period. This investment will begin from 2026-2027 and this year we are continuing the work we have begun with the community to finalise a plan for how this funding can make a difference in our town.”

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