£20m regeneration plan for Jarrow gets go-ahead

A COMMUNITY-DRIVEN regeneration scheme for a Tyneside town that will unlock £20 million of Government funding to revitalise the town and generate fresh opportunities for young people has won the support of senior councillors.

- CHRIS BINDING Local democracy reporter

The Jarrow Forward neighbourhood board has recently unveiled a decade-long regeneration blueprint for the town, which was developed after consulting with over 1,000 residents and 500 young people, alongside community groups, businesses, schools, service providers and national funding bodies.

Jarrow Forward comprises representatives from local groups and organisations, including Barbour, Bede's Helping Hands, the NHS ICB [Integrated Care Board], Kate Osborne MP, Tyne Coast College, Jarrow School, Nexus, Northumbria Police, Jarrow Sea Cadets, Big Local Jarrow and others.

Project leaders have stated that the fresh regeneration blueprint captures the pride residents have for their historic town and their ambition for rewarding local employment, cultural pursuits, leisure and sporting facilities, shops and cafes, plus activities that will motivate and enable young people to shape their own destiny.