SIDMOUTH is benefiting from more than £200,000 of investment by East Devon District Council (EDDC) as it works to maintain and improve valued public assets in the town.
Work started on Monday on a £10,000 refurbishment of the Sidmouth Market building.
Scaffolding has gone up around the premises with signs put in place to make it clear that the shops inside are open as usual for the estimated three-week duration of the contract.
The scheme is one of a number of projects EDDC is carrying out as part of a six-figure investment in Sidmouth.
Work to resurface the floor at Sidmouth Sports Hall and squash courts will take place in July at an estimated cost of £8,000.
Jacob’s Ladder is currently undergoing an £11,000 repair job – with the paint provided for free by Dulux.
Sidmouth will feature in the company’s marketing as part of the deal.
The Manor Pavilion recently underwent a £90,000 facelift and the public toilets at the Three Cornered Plot are nearing the end of an £81,000 refurbishment.
Work has recently been completed on a £5,000 scheme to refurbish the clubhouse at Sidmouth Bowls Club while, earlier this year, refurbishment of the domes at the Norman Lockyer Observatory - along with redecoration of the main building - was concluded at an overall cost of £10,000.
Councillor Graham Godbeer, EDDC’s cabinet member for economy, said: “We’re pleased to be investing in the maintenance and upgrading of a number of publicly owned properties around the district – toilets, sports centres, leisure buildings and cultural facilities.
“It’s important that we invest wisely in our district during tough times and these are visible reminders that despite offering Devon’s lowest council tax we’re still out there doing things to benefit the community and the place. The work at Sidmouth Market is an example of investing in our town centres to help boost the local economy”.
The work on Sidmouth Market is all being done by local companies – the scaffold by Langdale Scaffolding of Woodbury and the maintenance work by A+ Building and Maintenance of Exeter.
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