21 projects to benefit from £1m Pride In Your High Streets fund
Telford & Wrekin Council is set to award 21 projects a share of its £1m grant fund to help boost business and attract more people to the high streets in nine key areas of the borough.
The Pride In Your High Streets scheme was set up to enable these areas to develop their own ideas to revitalise high streets and help businesses there grow.
It was open to applications from nine High Streets and Local Centres around the borough and all nine areas are set to get significant benefit from the fund.
The fund is split into different pots - £800,000 for applications to the Revitalise Fund aimed at increasing the prosperity of specified High Streets and Local Centres and a £200,000 Innovation Fund for new activities and cultural events.
Following a comprehensive evaluation process involving independent assessors, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet will receive a report approving 21 projects when it meets on 28 January.
This includes schemes that would benefit all of the nine high street areas, delivering training and support for retailers to help improve and enhance their business and the overall look and appeal of their high street.
Some of the schemes to be approved would also help the community to take on new assets. This mirrors the Council’s approach to working with community groups to enable these to take on services that it can no longer afford to run due to cuts in Government grant.
Any bids chosen to go forward are also likely to generate further investment for the areas through match funding as well as new initiatives that will help focus community activity on these high streets.
Councillor Shaun Davies, cabinet member for Business, Neighbourhood and Customer Services, said: “The range and diversity of bids received demonstrates how passionately our community cares about its High Streets and Local Centres.
“The funding will support projects that will really help these high streets and local centres take greater control of their future and which have the potential to create more local jobs.
“I am delighted that the Council has been able to select 21 specific projects, including multi site applications that will give retailers in our High Streets new skills and also enhance community involvement, adding real and lasting value to High Streets and tangible community benefits.”
