Retford Town Centre will bring in the new year with a fresh look thanks to new planters, benches and repainted street furniture smartening up the high street.
The latest installations include a series of planters, along with a variety of flora, that will provide a year-round interest with returning flowers, attractive foliage and add greater biodiversity to the town centre.
The latest additions have made the high street a more welcoming and enjoyable place to visit and spend time, and complement the Georgian style benches, seats, litter bins and repainted lamp posts, tree guards, bus shelter, and other pieces of street furniture, in addition to improved lighting, that were all completed in the last two months.
These improvements have been made possible thanks to significant investment by the Retford Town Centre Partnership Board (RTCPB), which has been funded by monies made available through Bassetlaw District Council’s allocation of UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Rick Brand, Chair of RTCPB, said: “This is one of the most highly visible projects the board has undertaken, which will help to support businesses throughout the town and encourage more people to discover Retford.
“I would like to thank members of the partnership board who have done a brilliant job of co-ordinating a wide range of organisations to deliver a fantastic result for the businesses and people in and around Retford, and the many visitors to the town centre.”
The planters mark the completion of works across the town centre, specifically on Carolgate, Spa Road, Exchange Street, Market Square, Grove Street, Market Place and other surrounding streets.
Cllr Steve Scotthorne, Cabinet Member for Identity, Planning and Place at Bassetlaw District Council said: “It’s great to see that the funding provided to the Board is having a direct impact on the high street and making it a more welcoming and enjoyable place to visit. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this project and all the hard work that has been put in."
Retford Civic Society supported the design of the planters along with the types of perennial plants that have been installed, so that there is an increase of pride in place across the town and make it a more attractive location to visit.
Peter Horner and Pam Barnsdale, for the Civic Society and members of the RTCPB Public Realm Group added: “We welcomed the opportunity to work in partnership with the Board and the Council to enhance the town centre. A return to more traditional signage and street furniture compliments the town's heritage, while the planters provide a biodiverse and green corridor throughout the town for all to enjoy.”
The Board would like to thank Lindrick Construction, Summerfield Landscapes, Dewberry Horticulture, AWJ and Bagnalls for their support and expertise throughout this project.
The Retford Town Centre Partnership Board was created as a continuation of the Retford Town Centre Neighbourhood Planning Group and seeks to make lasting and meaningful improvements to Retford’s Town Centre.
The Neighbourhood Plan created a ‘Vision for Retford’, which reflected the priorities of Retford's residents, visitors and businesses.
It has been allocated a portion of Bassetlaw District Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund to support projects across the town centre.
This is being achieved through initiatives that promote local businesses, attract visitors to the town centre and create added value to Retford.
Pictured: Members of Retford Town Centre Partnership Board and contractors
Last Updated on Friday, December 19, 2025