A businessman who gives up his free time to run the board overseeing a £25 million government investment into Shipley has been recognised at an event in Downing Street.
Adam Clerkin, who chairs the Shipley Town’s Fund Board, and is also head of operations at CarnaudMetalbox Engineering, based in the town attended a Levelling Up event at No10 after being nominated by Shipley MP Philip Davies.
Mr Clerkin said: “It is fantastic to receive on behalf of the team, recognition for all their hard work and commitment in the inception, creation, and governance of each town fund project. The towns fund initiative clearly demonstrates what can be achieved when public funded projects are considered from a local view point.”
The £25 million fund was announced at the end of 2019 and Shipley was one of a number of areas to benefit from the government cash injection.
Plans include town centre and infrastructure improvements, upgrading the exhibition space in Shipley Library to create a small business enterprise hub, renovations of the Kirkgate Centre building to create a Sustainable Community Hub, a new Community, Art, and Future Technology Centre, a new Health, Wellbeing and Community Campus and transforming the current Wrose Quarry site into Shipley Wrose Quarry Wetlands.
The event, hosted by Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove, was also attended by Nicole Williams, Manager of Kirkgate Centre which will benefit from some of the funding.
She said: “To be one of the chosen projects to receive investment from the Towns Fund has been incredible and will enable the sustainability of a much loved and used community building for many years to come.”
Mr Davies said: “I am delighted Adam and Nicole were selected to attend the event. I lobbied hard to get the support for our area, setting out the case for regeneration and I was extremely pleased that government listened and saw the potential Shipley has and what investing in the area would achieve and deliver for my constituents.
“Adam has been involved in this since the beginning and he is committed to the area and wants to see it thrive and it is right he was recognised for his work and dedication. I was also pleased Nicole got to attend the event so government ministers can hear first-hand how much of a difference this money will make.”
