More than 50 ‘overlooked’ UK towns will each be given £20 million over a 10-year period to help regenerate high streets and tackle antisocial behaviour, the Government has announced.
Each town will have a long-term plan drawn up by a new towns board, made up of local community leaders and employers – “putting local people, not politicians, in charge of their own town’s future”, according to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Cllr Martin Tett, Chairman of the LGA’s People and Places Board, said: “Town centres and high streets are at the heart of local communities and this funding will provide a much-needed boost to those areas set to benefit.
“It is also good this money has been allocated on the basis of need and not via competition, which we have long called for. Being able to adapt to multiple challenges, from changes in people’s shopping habits to the rising cost of living, is common to councils across the country and we want to work with government to make this plan a success.
“It is essential that councils have adequate, long-term resources to meet ongoing cost and demand pressures, protect vital services that keep our high streets vibrant and can continue to work with local business and community leaders, to put sustainable plans in place to create thriving towns.”