The Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced today (27 Oct) that 7 towns will be the beneficiaries of the new Towns Fund.
The funds are designed to boost economies of towns that lie outside of major cities and can therefore slip through the net when it comes to receiving funding from national Government.
The towns that will benefit from the money are Barrow-in-Furness, Blackpool, Darlington, Peterborough, Norwich, Torquay and Warrington.
These towns will now implement proposals submitted to the government’s £3.6 billion Towns Fund that will help to grow the economy in those areas, and across the country.
Some of the plans for the Towns Funds include:
- £39.5 million to be used to update the Blackpool Illuminations, for a return to tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic, which used to attract 4 million visitors and bring in £284 million a year, and to support the development of the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone.
- £21.9 million to modernise Torquay town centre, transforming it into a retail and leisure destination for people visiting, working and living in the town as well as improving transport links with a new focus on walking and cycling routes.
- £22.9 million investment for Peterborough to lay the groundwork for low carbon living, supporting healthy lifestyles and encourage enterprise and innovation. Planned projects include a skills centre for green technologies, enterprise hub and a new pedestrian bridge.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said:
“This government is levelling up opportunity all across the country. We are unlocking the full potential of towns and communities, giving them the support that they need to thrive and the 7 Towns Fund Deals that I am announcing today mark the start of locally designed regeneration projects across the country.
“Backed by £180 million, we are boosting skills, job creation and connectivity in these 7 towns – providing investment and confidence at a crucial time for these communities.”
