Councillors have tried out new locally made benches at a Sutton-in-Ashfield town centre regeneration project during a site tour hosted by Lindum.

Councillors Matthew Relf and Vicki Heslop, and Lindum Social Value Lead Hayley Cowell, first saw the new seating when it was being made in the Sutton factory of our supply chain partner Townscape Products.

Townscape Products has been based in Sutton since 1974, creating bespoke barriers, street furniture and planters for 50 years.

Projects include visitor seating at Titanic Belfast museum, hostile vehicle mitigation at Facebook in San Francisco and landmark protection seating outside York Minster.

Now, the councillors have seen the benches in situ along the edge of a triangular raised lawn planter built at the Portland Square public realm scheme.

Townscape Products’ street furniture will also be installed in the redeveloped Fox Street and in Low Street.

Councillor Relf, Executive Lead Member for Growth, Regeneration and Local Planning, said: “Having visited Townscape’s factory last year to see the street furniture being made, it was fantastic to attend a site visit behind the fencing in Portland Square and to see the seating close-up in situ.

“In Ashfield, we have been fortunate in receiving funds for regeneration. The way we spend that money to employ local suppliers is important.

“Townscape Products is a world-renowned company based in the town and it would be a shame not to have used them to provide the street furniture for these public realm projects.”

Cllr Relf added: “My aspirations for the works in Fox Street and Portland Square are about regenerating the town centre. We want to make it an attractive pleasant place for people to spend time and dwell.

“I’m hopeful it will enable a greater food and drink offering and contribute to the night-time economy, linking to the theatre offer.”

Once complete, Portland Square will feature two raised lawns with inbuilt seating, ambient lighting and planting and semi-mature trees to bring greenery back into the urban setting.

Alongside the planters will be CCTV cameras and streetlighting, and more room outside businesses for outdoor seating.

The improvement work in nearby Fox Street will create a flexible outdoor space, providing a new home for Sutton market and events, and provide a pedestrian link from ASDA to the town centre.

This site will also include new lighting, CCTV, and trees and hedges. It will serve as a 41-space car park when not in use for markets.

Freddie Chambers, Co-chairman of Lindum Group, said: “It is a pleasure to be working in partnership with Ashfield District Council and our local supply chain partner Townscape Products through both phases of public realm regeneration work in Sutton-in-Ashfield.

“Once complete, the works will enhance the town centre and provide attractive and functional community spaces which encourage social interaction and help grow the town’s economy.”

The regeneration is due for completion in late Spring.

They are among a range of transformational projects across the district funded by the council’s Towns Deal.

Lindum has called upon the expertise and skills of local businesses to deliver the Fox Street and Portland Square works, including Melfort Construction Services (based 12 miles away in Chesterfield) and Townscape Products, based in Sutton’s Fulwood Road South.

Townscape Products Head of Sales, Jess Fergusson, said: “Townscape are very pleased to be working with Lindum Group and Ashfield District Council to help realise this town centre improvement scheme.

“The raised platers and seating will provide a vibrate focal point for the local community enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the square and adding a much-needed green space for all to enjoy.’’