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Halifax grew up as the marketing centre for the woollen textile industry in the 18th century, and still retains much of its Victorian heritage. Dean Clough Mills was a pioneering example of converting a redundant textile factory into a business and arts centre, and though the area has not qualified for major grants, it has built a reputation for heritage led regeneration.
West Central Halifax is a neighbourhood of some 11,000 people covering roughly a square mile, near the town centre, characterised by social exclusion. In 1995 50% of the population were of Asian origin, and male unemployment levels were four times the average for the district. In three and a half years following a successful SRB bid, the area has been changed through a strategy of creating a shared vision, involving local residents and businesses in delivering projects, and celebrating achievements together.
The impetus for the bid came from the concerns of local businesses about rising crime and vandalism. It was seen as a no-go area where the buses stopped at six in the evening. Following a successful bid for funds, local people put their views that the priorities should be tackling unemployment and giving young people a sense of purpose. A bilingual Local Labour Advisor worked with local employers, starting with the Halifax Building Society, to open jobs up through pre-recruitment training. Three years later 700 local people had found jobs, and unemployment had dropped from 20to15%.
Efforts were made to improve local schools so that the area would be seen as an attractive place to live. A new family centre provided nursery places, and help was provided with reading, and homework, plus training to involve parents, and provide a new cohort of teachers drawn from the local ethnic community. Some 2,000 children benefitted.
Business confidence was boosted through a new business association, and a Business Improvement Programme which helped to improve premises and attract firms into the area. Over 150 of the 400 businesses received some form of support. A BT depot was converted into an Enterprise Centre with an Internet Suite connected to Calderdale College.
Security was improved not only though CCTV but also new community facilities and activities for young people, such as a motor education project, summer play schemes, and homework support clubs. The proportion of businesses experiencing vandalism fell from 89% to 62%, and so did the fear of crime. With some tangible successes, it was possible to start promoting a new image under the slogan 'take a fresh look at West Central Halifax - it's changing for the better.' Over £9 million of new private investment has been generated in the area, and several key sites which had been vacant for over ten years began to be developed.
The quality of life was improved in a number of other ways. A housing renewal scheme focused £7 million of investment on the worst area of privately owned rented property. The People's Park is being restored to its former glory through a successful Heritage Lottery bid, and a People's Park Festival Association secures funding from local sources for a range of activities. As well as Environmental Awareness Initiatives, a new Healthy Living Centre is providing a focus for community based work.
At the root of all these achievements lies a commitment to building capacity in the local community. Thus there has been a Common Purpose training project, and residents are now getting on to local boards. A community development trust is being set up to continue the work after SRB finishes in three years.
The most notable sign of progress is that while in 1995 a survey showed that only 19% of the ethnic minority community believed they could affect decisions, by 1998 this was 44%. One of the directors in a speech said 'there is a saying that all small things are either poisonous or diamonds. I believe that West Central Halifax is a diamond in need of a polish to show its true beauty and bring it back to life.’
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