Introduction
We’re revitalising Bramsche Square to create a welcoming, attractive and flexible public space in Todmorden town centre. The area is well placed between Todmorden Market, the Central Methodist Church and the Grade I listed Todmorden Town Hall.
The improvements will help boost local trade and provide a space to host Todmorden’s events, festivals, and specialist markets.
Project Outline
Bramsche Square will become a flexible town square and event space for Todmorden.
We’re improving the outdoor market’s layout and facilities, including a new canopy and fixed stalls arranged in a straight line to create a “market street”.
We’re adding plants to make the area greener, along with benches to provide people with somewhere to sit and relax.
These improvements will; provide a more welcoming, attractive and vibrant public space for people to spend time in and enjoy, create a safe space for pedestrians and complement the Active Todmorden project.
This project is part of the Todmorden Town Deal, a £17.5m regeneration programme to develop the local economy and transform this market town.
Map of the proposals for Bramsche Square
Area A – Outdoor Market Area
Plans include a market canopy with fixed stalls creating a “market street”. Next to the Public Market Hall, we’re creating a market forecourt for hosting small events and street food traders. We’re also adding new planting in this area and refurbishing and repositioning the kiosk.
Area B – Bramsche Square Event Space
We’re creating a flexible town square for hosting events throughout the year. We’re adding new seating in this area and retaining two of the existing large trees.
We’re keeping some of the parking in this area for blue badge holders (2 spaces) and short stay (2 spaces. There will be no change to the two existing disabled bays next to the Central Methodist Church.
Area C – Pollination Garden
We’re enhancing the current green space for people to sit and relax in. We’re adding a new well-draining lawn, a rain garden, seating and edible plants.
We’ll keep many of the existing trees and plants in this area, including those looked after by the Incredible Edible Todmorden group.
Area D – Rose Street Car Park
We’re providing a disabled bay, motorcycle bays and 51 car parking spaces in this area.
What It Will Achieve
Economic Growth
We’re creating opportunities for Todmorden’s local economy to grow. These changes will encourage new investment, greater footfall, and more trade.
Multipurpose Space
We’re creating a flexible public space to host Todmorden’s wide variety of festivals, events and activities. These improvements will encourage more people to visit and spend time in Todmorden town centre.
Environment
We’re improving urban drainage around Bramsche Square to help prevent flooding.
Improved Infrastructure
We’re upgrading the outdoor market’s facilities, creating opportunities for it to grow and thrive.
Progress So Far
Updated: November 2024
In May we shared the latest plans and asked people for their feedback. We received 89 completed questionnaire responses with 75% in favour of the plans.
Feedback received has helped shape the plans to create a vibrant town square in the heart of Todmorden. These plans can be seen on the map and through new visualisations showing how Bramsche Square might look, earlier on this page.
May 2024
On Saturday 18th May Project Partner Calderdale Council, held a second Open Day at Tod Learning Centre & Community College – a follow-up to initial events held in March – to present more detailed proposals.
You will find the ‘Boards’ they created and displayed at this latest event below.
Please note: As these are large images, with text on, you will be able to view them better on a larger-screen computer or tablet. On a computer, if you hover over the image, arrows will appear (halfway down) for you to navigate between the 12 Boards.
The Next Steps
Delivery will include the steps below. The timeline is a guide only at this stage, and subject to change.
- Construction start in Spring 2025
- Construction finishes Spring 2026.
Towns Fund Alignment
✓ Urban regeneration, planning & land-use
✓ Arts, culture & heritage
✓ Enterprise Infrastructure
✓ Covid-19 recovery plan
✓ Clean growth
Strategic Alignment
✓ National Planning Policy Framework
✓ Planning Practice Guidance
✓ Our Green Future
✓ Leeds City Region Destination Plan
✓ Calderdale Submission Draft Local Plan
✓ Calderdale Visitor Economy Strategy
✓ Draft Todmorden Neighbourhood Plan
Town Deal Funding will:
- Change perceptions by residents, businesses & visitors
- Encourage trips by foot and bicycle
- Improve wheelchair access
- Bring more visitors to town centre events
- Improve biodiversity and rainwater management
Funder
Accountable Body
Project Lead
Funder
Accountable Body
Project Lead