Shopping and security on the wish-list from Maltby's £20m windfall

But ask the locals for a wish-list of improvements, and it quickly becomes clear there won’t be anything left over at the end of it. The Pride in Maltby initiative is one of a network of similar schemes nationally, and decisions on how it will be spent will ultimately be made by those who live there - with a formal board to oversee the process. Pride in Maltby’s objective is to create long-term change, “supporting the town’s future through investment that reflects the needs, ambitions and aspirations of local people”. A walk of the streets of Maltby was enough to establish there’s a lot the community would like to see done - but even those drawing up the wish-list accept that some will be challenging to achieve. The High Street is a focal point for many, it seems, with a desire for more shops with a better mix of goods for sale, along with an improved street scene, which might involve the installation of new benches and other features to make it more attractive. Still on the High Street, and beyond, there is also a concern about crime and anti-social behaviour, with some advocating a hollistic approach, making sure changes bring positive developments which can be felt by everyone from young children to pensioners. Lisa Maisfield, of Occasions Florists in High Street, painted a depressing picture of Maltby’s recent fortunes, and pointed to security and a strategy to bring in fresh businesses as keys to success. She said she had been away from working in the area for ten years and but returned to find “It has changed. There is a lot of crime and drugs, it is definitely not the same. “There are no cameras around that I have noticed, they would make a difference, 100 per cent. “It gets to about 4pm and there are a lot of kids on scooters, they are going really fast and I have nearly been knocked down a few times. “It needs some everyday shops too, there are vape shops; we need nicer shops. “There are a lot of cafes, but there are not people walking about to use them,” she said. Resident Chris Parker agreed that the High Street was “rubbish” as a shopping centre: “It is vape shops charity shops, kebab shops. That’s fine if you want that sort of thing, but there are too many. “There is nothing for kids. the 12 to 18 age group don’t have much.” Kev Holland, who runs Kev’s Shoe Repairs, in Manor Road, harked back to an era when Maltby had an indoor and outdoor market, on the site now occupied by Tesco, alongside other independent retailers. “It was like a hub, everyone used to go there,” he said. He also raised the simple task of street cleaning as a quick-fix: “I think there needs to be something in place where they clean up the streets, and side streets, a lot more. “Very rarely do I see anyone cleaning anything or picking litter up,” he said. Resident Peter Cooper also wanted action which would see traditional businesses return to the area: “I’d like to see more shops, though I know it’s hard for them to do it. “I’d like to see anything but a green grocer’s would be handy, things like that,” he said. Pride in Maltby has now had a board appointed to oversee progress, with Warren Carratt - a lifelong Maltby resident and chief executive of the Nexus MAT schools trust, chairing the body. MP Jake Richards is also on the board, alongside Councillors Donna Sutton and Adam Tinsley BEM. Other members are Beverly Ann Ferguson, a retired nurse, with experience in volunteering and community wellbeing; Dan Heald, a businessman with experience in community leadership through grassroots sport; Gordon Smith, a retired market trader; Michael Allen, who has experience in grassroots community development; Bob Davies, a member of Maltby Miners Welfare Band; Sharon Biggin, chair of Maltby Town Council. They will now meet regularly to shape priorities alongside residents.