A Message From The Board
A Message From The Board
A Message From The Board
Todmorden is an extraordinary market town…
From its Nobel Prizewinners to the birthplace of the citizens’ food movement Incredible Edible; its orchestras and choirs; theatre and festivals; Todmorden folks punch above their weight.
But over the years, the lack of investment in its infrastructure and significant buildings has weakened the ability of the town as a whole to embrace an inclusive prosperity which helps all of its citizens prosper in turn.
The data shows that the town does not provide local opportunities for young working-age people to access employment. Its topography makes it vulnerable to climate change incidents particularly flooding. And yet nothing has weakened the heartbeat of Todmorden and its determination to be a beacon market town for 21st-century commerce, creativity and wellbeing.
That is why so many Todmorden residents proposed projects each of which were rich in opportunities and aspiration. Projects connected by the threads of resilience, health, enterprise and creativity. Projects that collectively invest in a better future for the town; for the young to grow up with hope and the old to live with respect and dignity.
This is our time to realise our ambitions for the town.
Over five months the board has worked to identify threats and opportunities. To scrutinise the evidence base for investment. To talk to individuals and organisations across the spectrum of interests and pull together the many great projects contained within this plan. To make good the promises of the past and invest in the priorities identified through many community consultations. The need for an enhanced skills base, enterprise and performance spaces, stronger visitor economy, green infrastructure, homes and a sustainable and resilient future.
That is why so many Todmorden residents proposed projects each of which were rich in opportunities and aspiration. Projects connected by the threads of resilience, health, enterprise and creativity. Projects that collectively invest in a better future for the town; for the young to grow up with hope and the old to live with respect and dignity.
This is our time to realise our ambitions for the town.
Over five months the board has worked to identify threats and opportunities. To scrutinise the evidence base for investment. To talk to individuals and organisations across the spectrum of interests and pull together the many great projects contained within this plan. To make good the promises of the past and invest in the priorities identified through many community consultations. The need for an enhanced skills base, enterprise and performance spaces, stronger visitor economy, green infrastructure, homes and a sustainable and resilient future.
The projects are amazing.
From an Enterprise Centre for local food skills and active travel, to Todmorden Community Learning centre as a centre of excellence for sustainable building skills. From enhanced civic spaces for our many festivals, to significantly increased work and business spaces for our artists and entrepreneurs.
Homes to be proud of in the heart of our town, showcasing the very best of sustainable design and building.
Visitors and locals alike benefitting from improved green spaces and investment in our wonderful park; a programme of improvements for our Grade 1 listed Town Hall and community-run theatre; and the creation of much-needed visitor facilities bringing together all that is best from our local producers and services.
With the passion of Todmorden folks backing us all the way, we believe here we have a programme of works that will build on what’s already great about Todmorden, but ensure its survival and prosperity in changing times and climate. It’s fun, it’s aspirational, it’s ambitious, but more than anything it shouts
Todmorden, we’re ready for the challenge.
Our winning town…
Todmorden scooped Britain’s Best Small Indoor Market award in January 2018. Not content with that, we launched the Incredible Festival of Ideas and went on to beat stiff competition to win the coveted ‘Rising Star’ category in the Great British High Street Awards that very same year.
Building on our success and driven by the collective momentum and enterprising spirit we are renowned for, a host of our civic, business and community organisations came together for DestinationTOD – a workshop to hatch plans for the town’s long-term sustainability and growth.
We are so much MORe
DestinationTOD identified that Todmorden has much MORe to offer still. A fantastic award-winning market, superb heritage assets and an unbeatable landscape are just the start. Add in an inclusive diverse community bursting with creativity, determination, civic pride and endless ambition for our town and there’s nothing we cannot achieve!
Our unifying town brand, ‘There Is MORe In TodMORden’ emerged through DestinationTOD – so when the Town’s Fund came along the brand was a natural choice for the Town Deal Board to capture and communicate our vision for Todmorden.
We are MORe than able to transform our potential!