Residents and businesses have welcomed a town centre transformation that hopes to drive future investment and increase the number of visitors to Sherburn-in-Elmet.

A series of upgrades have been made to the east side of Low Street in a bid to create a more attractive and welcoming town centre.

The area’s appearance was previously plagued by issues including poor surfacing, damaged cobbles, discoloured pavements, broken street furniture and blocked gullies.

The surfacing has now been upgraded using higher-quality materials and new public benches have been installed along with improved signage, real-time bus information displays and a town centre map.

The renovation works, which focused on areas between The Swan pub and C&G Starkey Family Butchers, started in February and were completed this month.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member Councillor Mark Crane’s responsibilities include economic development and regeneration. “The aim of this project was to make the town a more attractive environment for those who live, work and visit,” he tells us. “We spoke with several residents and businesses who identified many issues that were adversely affecting the town’s overall appearance. They ranged from parking spaces not being clearly marked to uneven surfaces and broken street furniture.”

Reflecting on the town city now, Crane praises the improvements. “It's great to see the finished result, and we hope that by making the town a more appealing and exciting high street hub, it can help local businesses thrive and attract more visitors to the area.”

Jonathan France has owned fish and chip shop The Fish Bank, on Low Street, since 2019 and believes the improvements will make a big difference for the town. “We are all proud of the classic, traditional high street that we have in Sherburn-in-Elmet which offers a lot for residents and visitors,” he describes. “But the high street has looked a bit tired in recent years and in need of some attention. I’ve always said I’d support anything that makes the town more attractive for those who live, work and visit – and I’m really pleased with the improvements that have been made.”

Funding of up to £800,000 was allocated to deliver the package of improvements to the town, which was financed in part by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

The transformation, which was supported by Sherburn-in-Elmet Town Council, was designed by a team of architects and engineers at the council’s award-winning property consultancy, Align Property Partners.

Councillor Bob Packham, the local member for the Sherburn-in-Elmet division on North Yorkshire Council, who lives in the town, adds that “the works carried out in Low Street will make for a better shopping experience, improving accessibility and parking. The new real time bus information is a real bonus for travellers and the town map and finger boards that will direct people around the town will be a great help for visitors.”