Leek Levelling Up Fund

The funds will be used to deliver three projects:

• improvements at Brough Park Leisure Centre
• improvements to the Butter and Trestle markets
• refurbishment works at the Grade II listed Nicholson Institute

Redacted Levelling Up Fund bid (PDF) [3MB]

Since the announcement at the start of 2023, the Council has appointed contractors to undertake surveys at each of the three locations so that decisions can be made about the specific improvements at each site.

There are more details below about the sort of improvements people can expect to see. More information about what's proposed, and decided, and the timescales for undertaking the work will be shared when available.

This page will be updated regularly throughout the project which is expected to take around three years to deliver.

Brough Park Leisure Centre

The Leisure Centre and Brough Park have an important role to play in improving the overall health and wellbeing of residents. Providing improved facilities will help to encourage people to be more active benefiting both their physical and mental health.

The work at the Leisure Centre will include:

• replacement of the current swimming facility to create a 25m, six-lane pool, an additional learner pool, and new changing facilities.
• an extension to the existing fitness suite and studio to create an enlarged gym and second group exercise studio
• a new dedicated indoor cycling studio
• refurbished office space

This work will be funded from Levelling Up money. Improvements to the amenities at all the Council's leisure centres, including Brough Park Leisure Centre, are also being developed as part of the Council's Leisure Transformation Plan. We'll share more details about this plan when they are available.

Leek Market Halls

The project will see the Victorian Market Halls refurbished to broaden the appeal of the markets to a wider range of customers and traders and provide creative and artistic space for community use.

Works at the Trestle Market include:

• food and beverage lock-up units
• replacement of the 32 tables with lighter weight alternatives
• addition of a further entrance to allow the two market halls to operate independently and enabling weekend and evening events to be held in the Trestle Market

At the Butter Market Hall, the Victorian character of the shop fronts will be restored to improve the customer experience and provide modern, flexible retail units.

Customer safety, comfort and security will be improved at both market halls with the installation of Wi-Fi, CCTV, insulation and heating.

Nicholson Institute

This Grade II listed building is currently used as a public library, run by the County Council, and museum and tourist information centre run by the District Council. The lower ground floor has historically been used by the Leek School of Art.

The project in this building will see the lower ground floor converted and brought back into use as a flexible space.

The ground floor library area will be redesigned to increase the range of services, events and learning opportunities.

The upper-floor museum will be redeveloped to provide a better home for the collection and artifacts many of which relate to Leek's past as a centre of silk making. The exhibition/event space will be updated to allow a broader range of community activity and links to the library on the floor below will be improved.