New funding aims to revive English coastal towns
Over £5.8 billion will be provided to support seaside communities
The Government has announced new funding intended to rejuvenate English coastal towns, seeing areas like seafronts revamped and vacant shops reopened.
Communities minister Miatta Fahnbulleh stated that funding is designed to help seaside towns recapture the “glory days” of the English coast.
Several areas, including Blyth, Clacton, and Great Yarmouth, have laid out plans to utilise £20 million over the next decade, rejuvenating shut shops, improving beachfronts, and revitalising ignored neighbourhoods.
Ms Fahnbuleh said:
“Spend a day at one of our seaside towns and you’ll know there’s something special about them.
“We’re making sure they have the money and the power to restore these beloved coastal communities to their glory days. The change starts now and the best days are ahead of them.”
A number of towns are set to benefit from the funding:
Blyth will receive support for small businesses, with shops set to reopen.
Bexhill-on-Sea plans to enrich its arts and culture scene and refurbish its seafront.
Clacton aims to transform boarded-up shops, improve CCTV, and establish a new skills fund to aid employment.
Eastbourne will focus investment on neglected areas and repurpose rundown buildings.
Great Yarmouth intends to build new sports facilities, repurpose empty buildings, and refresh green spaces.
The funding is part of the Government’s £5.8 billion Pride in Place programme, providing up to £20 million to 284 communities across the UK.
Plans for funding allocation were devised with neighbourhood boards consisting of locals, tasked with deciding investment priorities.
Coastal communities involved in the first stage should receive funding soon, with the Government aiming for plans to be established ahead of the summer.
Further areas are setting up neighbourhood boards to draft their strategies.