04/02/2026
Village improvements begin after £50k grant spending consultation
Castle Donington has set out its priorities for a £50,000 investment in its historic centre after residents and businesses helped shape how the money should be spent.
The Parish Council carried out a consultation following confirmation of the grant, with public toilets, access to business grants, improved signage and enhanced village‑centre decoration, including flower beds, bunting and benches, emerging as the top community requests.
Fiona Palmer, Clerk at the Castle Donington Parish Council, said: “We were blown away in November when we found out that we had secured funding. We are now ready to implement the improvements that the community and local business have highlighted for the heart of our village.”
She said: “It was clear that both business and our local community agreed that the high street facilities, aesthetics and signposting to the heart of our village would boost footfall to local businesses and provide community improvements.”
Plans include new digital signage to promote the area covered by the grant award, and also will give the opportunity to promote and advertise village events such as the Charter Fair, May Day Market and Christmas celebrations. Additional banners will direct visitors to shops and attractions, while new benches and seasonal flower beds will be installed around the centre.
Year‑round bunting will also be introduced on Borough Street, beginning with pastel spring colours. The bunting will be hung on specialist wire to allow extra Christmas decorations to be added during the festive season.
Match funded business grants to the tune of £750 will be made available to improve shop fronts.
Residents also highlighted the lack of public toilets in the village centre, particularly affecting older people and families with young children. A new facility will be installed at Clapgun Street Car Park. This will be an inclusive porta-loo style facility initially to trial the suitability of the location.
Bill Johnson, of Johnson General Store in Borough Street welcomed the additions planned for Castle Donington. He said: “It’s all very positive news. Anything that helps the independent businesses and local community is very warmly welcomed.
“The additions will improve the look and feel of the village and bring more people into the centre, in turn increasing footfall to local businesses.”
Kate Brice of Tylers Tearooms has been in business in Castle Donington for 12 years. Having been part of the consultation process alongside fellow independent businesses, she said “I’m really happy with all the decisions that have been made. Signage and public toilets may seem like little things but they make a huge difference to a small community.
“I’ll definitely be applying for one of the grants – we have to store our bins on the frontage which makes the high street less appealing so I’m hoping for help funding a bin store.”
The £50,000 grant is part of a new £300,000 Vitality Fund, funded through the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). It is designed to support targeted improvements across six key town and village centres with locations chosen following independent Place Quality Audits.
Castle Donington was one of the six centres identified, along with Ashby de la Zouch, Coalville, Ibstock, Kegworth and Measham. All were praised for their strong community spirit, active local businesses, and potential for growth.
The successful grant bid was announced by North West Leicestershire District Council.
Fiona Palmer added: “Castle Donington is a town with strong community foundations and heritage. That community spirit has been on full display during the consultation process with the community and businesses getting involved to decide how to spend this funding to enhance the village centre. This has truly been a collective decision.”
Contracts for works being carried out have landed with countywide trades, while contracts for the town’s promotion have been placed with two Castle Donington headquartered firms.
Marketing will fall to Castle Creative, headed by Ian Coulton, with the contract for public relations won by locally based business Poppy PR, headed by Tina Clough.
Tina said: “Castle Donington has a rich heritage and history and this funding and collaborative approach is an excellent opportunity to further cement the town’s strong sense of community, enhance its facilities and promote its history and appeal, bringing more visitors into the town centre and to the array of independent businesses at its heart.
“Donington is a growing community and there is potential to bring more custom to the centre with improved amenities and attractions. The town centre is one of our best kept secrets. With this funding that could all be about to change.”
Pictured is Kate at Tylers Tea Rooms and Restaurant, Castle Donington and Bill from Johnsons general store castle donington
