Tendring District Council welcome additional funding to safely reopen high streets
They've received over £190,000 from the Government's new Welcome Back Fund.
£196,110 will be invested in improvements to the local high streets to help them safely and successfully open after lockdown.
The money is part of the Governments new Welcome Back Fund.
Funding can be used to hold street markets and festivals, boost the look and feel of high streets, extend pavement licences with more seating areas and install new signage to help keep people safe as restrictions are lifted.
Funding will also help pubs and restaurants to use their land more flexibly, for example by setting up a marquee or creating new outside space so they can serve more customers and recover from the effects of the pandemic.
Additional funding has also been made available to support coastal areas, so coastal resorts across England can safely welcome holiday makers in the coming months.
Giles Watling, MP for Clacton said:
“I know how difficult it has been for businesses on our high streets over the last year. Their struggles were illustrated clearly in the results of my Covid Recovery Survey which closed at the beginning of the month. I am determined to secure them all the help they need to recover. To this end on the 25th March I asked a question of the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Michael Gove. I wanted reassurance that the current levelling up process wouldn’t ignore Clacton. I got that reassurance on the floor of the house.
“That is why I am delighted that our area will receive £196,110 as part of the Government’s new Welcome Back Fund, which will help our high streets to reopen safely and successfully this Summer as restrictions lift.
“This will ensure that our high streets have the support they need as we move into recovery, and build back better from the pandemic. Moreover, many of the additional measures announced by the Government will directly support the predominant types of business in our area – hospitality and retail – and I look forward to seeing the benefits.”
Tendring is one of seventy councils also benefiting from the additional support with a High Streets Taskforce providing advice on how to make changes to ensure high streets across the Clacton constituency adapt to changing consumer demands and thrive in the years ahead.
Commenting, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said:
“As we move to the next stage on the roadmap out of lockdown we are all looking forward to being reunited with friends and family outdoors and making a safe and happy return to our favourite shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants.
“Our Welcome Back Fund gives every city, town and high street support to prepare for a great summer. This funding will help councils and businesses to welcome shoppers, diners and tourists back safely.
“As soon as the roadmap allows, we need to get behind our local businesses and enjoy all that this country has to offer and that we’ve been missing so much.
“I’m allowing every pub in the country to erect a marquee in their garden for the whole summer as a one-off power to support our locals.”