Spalding Faces Crisis As £20 Million Funding Faces Delay

A community leader is upset about funding delays. Spalding needs a £20 million boost soon because the town was chosen for support over a year ago. Several businesses have closed recently, and people worry more will follow.

The Spalding Town Board plans to spread the money over ten years. However, the government says major projects start in 2026. Locals are concerned about this long wait time and they think the town needs help now.

Rob Gibson chairs the Spalding Town Forum and he is frustrated by the delay. The funding was announced in 2023. Spalding is still struggling, he says now.

Nick Worth leads South Holland District Council and he thinks Spalding will be okay. He believes that projects like the Spalding BID are positives. The town board will be ready in 2026, he promised.

Worth knows delays are frustrating for everyone indeed. The government decides how they can spend it, which makes planning very difficult for them. He also said negative headlines are not good.

Worth mentioned changing town dynamics and thinks Spalding shifts to leisure and tourism. The town board will consider this, he adds. Spalding BID gets money to improve the town too.

Robin Hancox chairs the Spalding Town Board. He said planning continues in the next year with the £200,000 they currently have. However, they cannot use this for main projects right now. Hancox finds the store closure upsetting anyway, as people want a better town center. The board wants to improve Spalding for all, with the funding remaining, as announced last year. The £20 million will be invested from 2026, and they plan with the community this year to improve the town.