Key Points
- · Breightmet North is set to receive £20 million over 10 years under the government’s Pride in Place programme.
- · Pride in Place is a £5 billion initiative aimed at revitalising overlooked communities across the UK.
- · Funding will be a mix of 75% capital and 25% revenue, directed by local neighbourhood boards.
- · Community groups, social clubs, and local organisations must be involved in decision-making on fund usage.
- · The initiative allows local communities to exercise new powers over their high streets, including compulsory purchase of derelict properties and control over certain types of businesses.
- · This funding phase covers an additional 169 communities, adding to the first 25 trailblazer neighbourhoods.
- · The fund supports long-term regeneration and community empowerment to fix foundational issues in deprived areas.
What is the Pride in Place Fund and how does it work?
According to the UK government’s official Plan for Neighbourhoods: prospectus (June 2025), the Pride in Place programme is a £1.5 billion scheme designed to invest in 75 communities across the UK over a decade. Each area, including Breightmet North, will receive up to £20 million in funding, split between capital and revenue to support projects and capacity building. The goal is to rebuild and revitalise areas that have been historically overlooked or left behind economically and socially.
The programme calls for the formation of “Neighbourhood Boards” in each community to oversee the spending. These boards ensure that decisions are community-led, involving local organisations and social clubs, to focus on priorities that residents identify as vital.
How will Breightmet North benefit specifically from this £20 million?
The £20 million investment for Breightmet North is part of the second phase of Pride in Place funding, which includes 169 new neighbourhoods receiving support over the next ten years. This follows an earlier phase that awarded funds to 25 “trailblazer” neighbourhoods.
This financial boost will empower local leaders and community members in Breightmet North to take control over projects such as compulsory purchase and refurbishment of boarded-up shops, saving derelict pubs or community venues, and preventing the establishment of potentially harmful businesses like gambling stores or vape shops. These activities align with the fund’s broader objectives to clean up local eyesores and create safer, more vibrant neighbourhoods.
What powers do local communities get with this funding?
As reported by SME Web (24 September 2025), the programme grants councils and community groups strong new powers, including compulsory purchase authorities and the ability to block businesses considered detrimental to the area. This is intended to help restore confidence and pride by protecting treasured local assets and improving the overall environment.
This community empowerment is central to Pride in Place. It requires neighbourhood boards to collaborate closely with residents, ensuring that funding decisions are transparent and aligned with community needs.
How does this fit into wider regeneration efforts in Bolton?
Breightmet North's injection of £20 million from Pride in Place complements Bolton’s broader regeneration ambitions. The Bolton Council's recent announcements outline extensive projects aiming to transform neighbourhoods through housing developments, improved public spaces, and commercial revitalisation.
The council’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Akhtar Zaman, conveyed optimism for 2024 as a pivotal year for regeneration impact across the borough, with new homes, skills centres, and infrastructure projects underway. Projects such as the Farnworth Green neighbourhood and the transformative Church Wharf development exemplify this broader drive.
What has been said about the community impact?
Rob Watson, director of the developer Watson involved in Bolton’s Church Wharf scheme, emphasised the importance of such developments in reinvigorating town centres. He pointed out that revitalisation goes beyond buildings, aiming also for socio-economic uplift by creating jobs and adding value to the local economy.
The Pride in Place initiative similarly aims to generate deep-rooted community benefits, supporting social groups and businesses to foster local pride and sustainable growth, particularly in areas historically deemed ‘left behind.'
Why was Breightmet North chosen for this fund?
Breightmet North, like many other ‘overlooked communities,’ faces challenges of economic stagnation, dereliction, and social deprivation. The government sees Pride in Place as a strategic, long-term approach to rebuild these foundational areas. Unlike previous short-term funding bursts, this 10-year funding guarantees sustained focus on neighbourhood regeneration, capacity building, and governance reforms.
The decision reflects a commitment to empowering residents and local leaders to drive change tailored to their unique needs.
What are the timelines for the funding and delivery?
The funding process includes a phase for Neighbourhood Boards to finalise membership and boundaries by April 2025, followed by submissions and assessments of detailed regeneration plans. Actual programme delivery funding started from April 2026, with funds disbursed annually according to a structured profile throughout the next decade (Gov.uk, Plan for Neighbourhoods, June 2025).
Breightmet North residents and stakeholders can therefore expect to see ongoing developments and improvements through the 2020s, with strategic projects unfolding steadily.
How does this funding interact with other community grants?
Alongside large-scale funds such as Pride in Place, smaller grants exist locally to support community projects and micro-enterprises. For instance, the Bolton Community Homes Grants Programme offers microgrants up to £1000 for individuals and groups engaged in community delivery work (Bolton CVS, 2025). Such smaller funds complement large investments by enabling grassroots initiatives that contribute to social cohesion and local pride.
What does this mean for local residents?
The £20 million Pride in Place funding signals a significant opportunity for Breightmet North to transform its urban fabric, improve local amenities, and foster community-led development. By engaging residents actively in decision-making through neighbourhood boards, the initiative promotes a participatory approach to regeneration.
Resident-led control over local services, premises, and planning decisions builds confidence and pride in place, addressing long-standing issues of neglect and deprivation.
Final outlook for Breightmet North and similar communities
The government’s Pride in Place programme represents a pioneering model of long-term investment and community empowerment across the UK, with Breightmet North among its beneficiaries. While ambitious, the success of the fund will hinge on continuous engagement, transparent governance, and strategic prioritisation by local neighbourhood boards.