Street wardens and town centre rangers could be heading to Spalding as part of a four-year investment plan.
A report outlining the potential £640,000 bill for town centre security is due before a special meeting of South Holland District Council’s cabinet.
Anti-social behaviour, street drinking and loitering are marked as ‘the most urgent problems.’
Visible patrols, such as town centre rangers and additional ‘hot spot’ policing will be utilised.
Details of the four-year investment programme are alongside a document outlining the future of the town centre as the Spalding Town Board looks to spend millions on improvements.
“In 2025 a series of a targeted engagement and consultation activities have taken place to gain insight and consensus to create an exciting new vision for the town, and develop the regeneration and investment plans which will guide the first years of Pride in Place,” says a report.
“There is strong concern about anti-social behaviour, particularly street drinking, loitering and vandalism,” it adds.
Public consultation on the future direction of the town centre saw 84 per cent of respondents saying the Public Space Protection Order is under used. The same number want dedicated wardens, better CCTV and visible enforcement.
Another £625,000 will include enhancing the street scene, cleaning, shop front upgrades and a vacancy incentive programme.
A further £625,000 over four years will go to incentives for new business, with a focus on food and beverage along with independent retailers to the town centre and lease support,
A total of £20m has been allocated to the Town Board over ten years from the government to rejuvenate the town centre and encourage more shoppers and visitors.
The final report outlines a ten-year plan for regeneration along with the investment plan for four years, which includes the street patrol suggestions.
Other key themes included community events, with a year-round programme including cultural festivals, themed market days with craft and maker events along with live music, workshop and family events.
Consultation also saw a call for using empty building as community hubs, food halls or art spaces.
The South Holland Centre is seen as central to the project and 84 per cent of respondents want its use expanded, along with the return of a café. Parking needs to be free or low cost and there needs to be better public transport links.
But the main deterrents remain anti-social behaviour, loitering and ‘undesirable’ shop types, such as vaping.
The investment programme also shows £1.32m for cultural or heritage provision.
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Examples given include the South Holland Centre and the Spalding Gentlemen’s Society along with the Sessions House.
“Residents report they would like to see an improved heritage and cultural offer to enhance the town centre vibrancy,” says the report.
A total of £190,000 could be set aside for themed markets and to enhance the current market, including a canopy to encourage longer stays.
The biggest sum, £2.72m, would be set aside for town centre clean up and interventions.
“Stakeholders and the hotspot analysis show declining cleanliness and visual appeal are undermining pride and footfall requiring intensive cleansing and repair in early delivery,” the report says.
“Engagement and consultation will continue for the lifetime of the programme, underpinned by the board’s absolute commitment to creating the future of the town together with local people.
“Alongside the opportunities for consultation and involvement will be concerted communications to keep people informed and crucially, ensure that they can see how their views are shaping plans and projects.”
Spalding Town Board was established in 2024 and it has been conducting consultation and engagement with the public and stakeholders in the run-up to the final report.
“Since the board began engaging and consulting people in 2024, feedback has been captured from around 1,400 engagements online, in person and through other channels. This significant figure underlines the enthusiasm and interest local people have in the future of their town.”
