Introducing "Pride in Place": A New Community Initiative
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
"Pride in Place" is the UK Government's decade-long strategy aimed at revitalising towns and cities throughout Britain. It is intended to empower local residents, instead of central and local authorities, to take charge of enhancing their own communities.
This investment is crucial for the town of Cheadle, particularly after Deputy Mayor Ian Plant announced at the last town council meeting that the funds for upgrading the Cheadle Leisure Centre have been cut, although no specifics were provided.
The good news about this fund is that it's about empowering local residents and groups to tackle deep-rooted deprivation. We are reminded of local needs following the closure of Moorlands Home-Link last week, which has provided services for our elderly and disabled residents since 2014.
Many community leaders have already signed up for the idea. We are informed that there is up to £20M available for each approved project. The strategy also includes a “Community Right to Buy” to take over derelict buildings such as pubs, for example, and a strategic goal to make neighbourhoods safer.
Something much needed for Cheadle is that our young people have not been receiving the funding they need for social and lifestyle development. Cheadle has not had a youth club for 15 years, unlike Leek and Tean, and the army cadets are now also closed. The Police and Crime Commissioner, Ben Adams, praised Cheadle youth during his public visit to the town last year for their self-improvement, but nothing has materialised to support them so far.
You can read the prospectus here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pride-in-place-programme-prospectus/pride-in-place-programme-prospectus.
Cheadle COG is working with a number of organisations and individuals to support this investment. Interested parties should contact Bernie Charlesworth for further information, please use our contact form and your details will be forwarded directly.
Introducing "Pride in Place": A New Community Initiative - created 16th February 2026
