Businesses across Brighouse are being encouraged to get involved in the ambitious plans for the future of the town which will bring in £19 million of investment from the government.

A key part of The Brighouse Deal is to back enterprise and inclusive growth to support existing firms and organisations to stay and grow, encourage others to come to the area creating jobs and boosting the economy, and provide greater access to skills and training for people of all ages.

The objectives and specific schemes have been approved by Ministers and final plans will now be submitted to the government in the summer. Before that, it is hoped more voices from across the town’s business community will sign up to have their say and commit to contributing to the Deal.

The Brighouse Town Deal Board, who put together the bid and are now responsible for turning the vision into reality, are encouraging them to visit the new website www.brighousedeal.co.uk, discover the deal and sign up to receive updated as the plans develop.

Among the objectives are reinvigorating the town centre and improve links between shops, communities, green spaces and business hubs.

They also include a focus on enterprise to build on the town’s manufacturing history, encourage trade and investment across the Leeds City Region and across the UK and the world, and inclusive growth providing greater access to skills and employment with a focus on apprenticeships and vocational learning and encouraging businesses to grow and create jobs.

Business leaders are also being asked to consider signing up to join the Board made up of representatives from the community, voluntary sector and industry.

Cllr Sophie Whittaker, Co-Chair of the Brighouse Town Deal Board, said:

“Brighouse has a growing reputation as one of the best places to live, work and visit and we want to ensure we keep improving the town we love. There are not many opportunities to get £19 million to invest in our community and I am excited by the projects it will allow us to deliver.

“The Deal has been developed by taking on board priorities of the community and businesses, it has been approved by government and it is now time for it to be delivered. To make sure we maximise the change the money can make, we want the whole of Brighouse to be part of its future.

“We are particularly keen to get more voices of businesses as they will be vital to delivering many of the projects and making them a success. The Deal can be a catalyst for future growth so we need everyone involved to make it the start of a new chapter in the story of Brighouse.”

More details about how to sign up can be found at www.brighousedeal.co.uk/theboard