Hopes £14m square will have 'ripple effect' on town

A man in a high-vis vest is hosing down freshly laid paving slabs with a pressure washer ahead of the grand opening of a new public space in Boston, Lincolnshire.

Rosegarth Square has been transformed by the demolition of old buildings and the creation of a new park, at a cost of £14.8m.

The project is one of several in the town to benefit from money from the government's Levelling Up Fund, five years after it was launched by then prime minister Boris Johnson in 2021.

"Prior to this development, we had what you might call tired public service buildings," says Mike Gilbert, the deputy leader of Boston Borough Council, as he shows me around the new square.

"We've removed old retail sites, rebuilt Crown House and we've got a much more modern and much more attractive offer in this area now and created this fantastic open space for relaxation and general amenities," he adds.

Other government money has been spent on helping to build Boston United's new football ground (£1.5m), an upgrade of the town's leisure centre (£14.5m), a new building for the college (£10m), and an NHS Community Diagnostics Centre (£25m).

So is it making a difference?

Teaching assistant Jay Guttridge, who is walking through the square, questions whether the money has been put to best use.

"There's a lot of investment happening in making it look nice, but there's not enough investment happening in what needs to be invested in," Guttridge says.

"They look brilliant, don't get me wrong, but there's a lot of people that could use that money in Boston. We've got a lot of unemployment, a lot of homelessness."

I put her point to Gilbert.

"I think the two things are connected," he says. "If you make the town centre vibrant, if you bring businesses in, if you bring people into the town who've got spending power, then clearly it has a ripple effect rest of the area."

He believes the development will also benefit neighbouring West Street, which is home to restaurants, takeaways, retailers and the council offices.

"This money has been stewarded and managed very carefully to get the best possible appearance for Boston town centre," he adds.

Two years ago, retailers called for change after warning too many shops were closing in the town centre.

And in June this year, on the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum, some residents told the BBC there was too much pressure on local services.

In Market Place, ST Hopper, a family-run jewellery shop, is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

When asked about the investment in the town, Tim Hopper says he is "all for it".

"I think we're in need of it. I mean, there's things that still aren't right, but you know, it's a great, great market town.

"I think we're on the up now and heading in the right direction and the investment is greatly appreciated.

"Anything we can do to try and promote the town is great for us."

Across town, diggers are tearing up the old car park in front of Geoff Moulder Leisure Centre to make way for a plaza beside a new building at the neighbouring Boston College.

Lynette Leith, the college principal, says the "vibe of things is changing" in the town and the investment "has been pivotal".

The new building, also paid for by Levelling Up money, opened in November 2025 and is for "health and service industries".

"It means first of all students get access to better-quality facilities, cutting-edge resources, meaning they can train for skills right at the forefront of their sectors," Leith says.

But part of the benefit is the "feeling around pride of place", she adds.

"It's perhaps been perceived that the opportunities aren't here and now we're really able to shine a spotlight on those."

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