A community have told of their fury after their hometown was 'left out' of a national funding scheme.
It occurs as Kirkby and Sutton were awarded £62.6 million from the Government’s Towns Fund scheme, which is significantly higher than any other bid in the country.
This has left Hucknall in Ashfield with no funds available to restore and improve the town moving forward.
Ashfield District Council is now looking to the Government’s new ‘Levelling up fund’ to get much-needed investment for Hucknall.
Residents and local business owners in the area have called for more money to be invested in Hucknall after a 'stressful' lockdown period.
Aslam Cunali, owner of Coffee Cream fast food restaurant on High street, 49, said: "For local businesses like us - it is only about surviving at the moment.
"The business is really bad now, after lockdown, after we have been shut for months.
"Hucknall will be breathing easily with a fund.
"It is very serious - we need support and money to survive."
Mr Cunali, who has set up the restaurant 13 years ago, added: "People moan about 10p that we add to our price list every two years.
"Surely we have the right to complain about not receiving funding."
A charity worker operating at a store on the High street said the investment could bring more people into the town centre.
Nuno Ferreira, 37, added: "Hucknall needs the money, businesses need the money.
"There are a few businesses in the town centre but more and more are leaving."
Retired Dave Bowler, 74, was having a drink at his favourite pub on High street, Red Lion, and said: "It seems like we have been forgotten.
"The worst thing it could happen to us is to not receive the money."
The Hucknall 'born and bred' added: "I love this town - I lived here all my life.
"But it has gone absolute dead in the last years.
"We need to support the small shops in the town."
Two friends who were sat outside Wetherspoons said Hucknall 'is losing out' by not being given the 'much needed' money.
Unemployed James Bettredge, 27, added: "They do not think about Hucknall - it is a shame.
"It is not fair that we did not receive the money.
"It should be divided equally between all towns."
Self-employed Matt Richardson, 39, said: "Hucknall is thriving - it is a lovely place.
"But it needs the money and support from the government moving forward."
Councillor Relf, the district council’s cabinet member for place, planning and regeneration, said: “Council Leader Jason Zadrozny and I have been working local Hucknall Councillors Jim Blagden, Trevor Locke, David Shaw, Lee Waters and John Wilmott for some time on plans.
"Let me be clear – the Conservative Government told us that we couldn’t include Hucknall in any bid.
"We asked about including Hucknall – but the Government said it didn’t qualify. That’s why we are prioritising investment for Hucknall via the recently announced ‘Levelling up fund’.
"We have met with Mark Spencer MP and officers are currently developing these plans further before we draw it up into a formal consultation and then put the bid in.”
Council Leader Jason Zadrozny added: “We are absolutely committed to transforming Hucknall in the same way we plan to make dramatic improvements to Kirkby and Sutton. Hucknall is the fastest growing town in the whole of Nottinghamshire – this growth must be matched by ambition, vision and investment.
"This includes dramatically improving healthcare in Hucknall through a new doctor’s surgery on land close to Piggin’s Croft Car Park. We will be launching a consultation as part of the bid with Hucknall residents.
"It’s imperative we listen to the views of local people and regenerate Hucknall to reflect this.”
