On Friday Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry MP visited Morecambe to announce that Morecambe has been successful in reaching phase 2 of the Future High Street’s Fund.
Speaking after the visit David Morris MP said:
‘I was delighted to welcome Minister Jake Berry to Morecambe on Friday to show him the plans that we have for our High Street. A huge well done to the officers at Lancaster City Council for putting together a fantastic bid and for getting though to phase two. We now have lots of work to do to ensure that the funding comes to Morecambe.’
Prime Minister Theresa May said:
Our high streets lie at the heart of local communities – creating jobs, boosting the economy and helping small businesses thrive.
But new technology and changes in the way we shop means they also face growing challenges, so I’m delighted over 50 towns will initially benefit from this scheme.
The funding will breathe new life into town centres and – together with measures such as small business rate cuts and opening up empty shops – will transform our high streets for the future.
Speaking ahead of a visit to Morecambe town centre High Streets Minister Jake Berry MP said:
High Streets are a crucial part of our local economies and people care about them because they are also the centres of their community.
But we recognise that changing consumer behaviour and the rise of online shopping presents a significant challenge and that’s why we are taking action to help them evolve.
Many of our high streets are successfully re-inventing themselves and with these new plans now in development, local leaders, who know their areas best, will be driving forward the transformation of their town centres into further great success stories.
The Future High Streets Fund was launched in December 2018 as part of the government’s plan for the high street.
Last month the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport together with the Architectural Heritage Fund and National Lottery Heritage Fund announced a £62 million package of support to breathe new life into historic high streets across the country, to restore historic buildings, create new work spaces and cultural venues. As part of the overall funding, £55 million has been allocated from the Future High Streets Fund.
Further information
The full list of those towns going on to the next phase of the Future High Streets Fund is available here:
Future High Streets Fund shortlist (PDF, 92.9 KB, 2 pages)
