Next steps announced for Haverhill town centre revitalisation following community consultation

28 Oct 2025

Work has started to deliver a range of measures to revitalise Haverhill town centre shaped by the local community.

West Suffolk Council is proposing a series of improvement projects that respond directly to community feedback.

In October 2024 the Haverhill High Street Enhancement Scheme was established by the council with the aim to revitalise the town centre by creating a pedestrian-friendly environment that carefully manages vehicle access in key areas while enhancing accessibility, safety, and economic vibrancy. A team of consultants specialising in transport, highways and public realm design were appointed to advise a steering group and help support the work of the scheme.

Earlier this year the council commissioned work to complete a town centre bench marking exercise. This combined with the Haverhill Town Centre Study, public views and ongoing engagement with the steering group have helped shape the proposed initiatives.

Suggestions included improved signage linking parking to the high street, making the town more welcoming and improving the visual appearance of the town centre. Residents and businesses alike voiced the desire for improved retail mix, specifically clothing, food and drink to help drive footfall.

Following these suggestions West Suffolk Council have immediately started work to deliver three initiatives, designed to enhance the town centre’s appeal, strengthen local identity, and deliver visible early benefits while laying the foundations for long-term regeneration.

The three projects are:

• Town Centre Wayfinding – introducing a unified and consistent signage system to replace fragmented and outdated signs, improving accessibility and reinforcing Haverhill’s unique identity.
• Public Realm Lighting – improving lighting across key areas to create a more welcoming evening atmosphere, supporting the town’s night-time economy and enhancing safety.
• Street Furniture Renewal – replacing worn and mismatched street furniture with coordinated, high-quality designs that enhance the streetscape and foster civic pride.

Initial design work will focus on Queen Street, Peas Market Square, Market Hill, and key High Street gateways, ensuring improvements are concentrated in the areas of highest community use and visibility.

Cllr Indy Wijenayaka, Cabinet Member for Growth at West Suffolk Council, said: “We have listened carefully to what residents, businesses and stakeholders have told us. These initial projects are an important first step in making Haverhill town centre more welcoming, safer and help foster a stronger sense of Haverhill’s unique history and identity. We hope this will help build momentum for more ambitious schemes in the future to cement Haverhill as one of our thriving towns.”

Design and engagement work is set to begin imminently, which will continue to build on the strong community engagement to date with West Suffolk Council working with the Town Council to invite residents to contribute to the design process through local arts groups. A Town Centre User Group will also be established drawing on participants from the recent town centre benchmarking survey, as well as engaging with community groups, forums and local businesses as detailed designs are developed.

Additionally, work is under way to explore the redevelopment potential of Jubilee Place, building on last year’s £2 million investment in Provincial House which has secured local jobs, improved access to public services, and boosted town centre footfall.

Regeneration concepts for Jubilee Place are being informed by feedback from the benchmarking survey and early discussions with potential developers.

The council will continue to work closely with the steering group as these projects progress, with the ambition of producing concept designs that attract further funding and investment into Haverhill’s town centre.

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