£191,456 funding boost to help Thanet’s high streets reopen

• Thanet District Council will receive £191,456 funding boost to help local high streets reopen and attract shoppers and tourists.

• Conservative Government investing a total of £56 million through the Welcome Back Fund to help councils prepare for the end of lockdown when it is safe to do so.

• This is part of a wider package of measures to revitalise high streets and level up communities – including steps to make it easier for eateries to serve customers outdoors and set up market stalls this Summer.

Improvements can be made to local high streets across Thanet to help them safely and successfully open after lockdown thanks to Government funding boost.

 

A total of £56 million will be invested through the new Welcome Back Fund to help councils across England boost tourism, improve green spaces and provide more outdoor seating areas, markets and food stall pop-ups – giving people more, safer options to reunite with friends and relatives this Summer.

 

Conservative MP for South Thanet, Craig Mackinlay MP said he was delighted Thanet District Council is getting a £191,456 funding boost and looks forward to seeing how the money will be spent to help attract people back to the high streets post-lockdown.

 

Councils can use the funding to hold street markets and festivals, boost the look and feel of their high streets, with more seating areas and street planting or less graffiti, and install new signage to help keep people safe as restrictions are lifted.

 

Additional funding has been made available to support coastal areas like Thanet, so coastal resorts across England can safely welcome holiday makers in the coming months.

 

This is part of a package announced by the Conservative Government to attract people back to high streets safely this Summer, including:

 

• Making it easier for hospitality businesses to operate as takeaways and host markets and stalls.
• Enabling businesses like pubs and restaurants to use their land more flexibly, for example by setting up a marquee or creating new outside space, for the whole summer, so they can serve more customers and recover from the effects of the pandemic.
• Extending pavement licenses for another 12 months, so venues can continue serving customers ‘al fresco’ for longer without red tape.
• Tackling Cowboy private parking firms whose rogue practices can keep visitors away from town.

Thanet District Council is also one of seventy councils across England that will benefit from additional hands on support through the new High Streets Taskforce, a group of elite high streets experts who will visit the area to provide advice on how to make changes to ensure high streets across Thanet adapt to changing consumer demands and thrive in the years ahead.

 

The Conservative Government has provided billions of investment through the £3.6 billion Towns Fund and £1 billion Future High Streets Fund to regenerate town centres and spruce up high streets, and recently announced a new £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund which will give every council in the UK access to up to £20 million to make their area a more attractive place to visit.

 

It has also supported high street businesses throughout the pandemic with targeted tax cuts, business rates relief and grants as part of an economic package worth £407 billion this year and next; enabled eateries and pubs to keep serving customers as takeaways during lockdown, and is making it easier for disused buildings in town centres to be repurposed to end the scourge of ugly buildings that drive away footfall.

 

Craig Mackinlay MP said:

 

“I know how difficult it has been for businesses on our high streets over the last year, and I am determined to secure them all the help they need to recover.

 

“That is why I am delighted that Thanet will receive £191,456 as part of the Conservative Government’s new Welcome Back Fund, which will help our high streets and beaches to reopen safely and successfully this Summer as restrictions lift.

 

“This will ensure that our towns have the support they need as we move into recovery, and build back better from the pandemic.”

 

Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick MP added:

 

“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.”

 

You are able to keep up to date with our articles, news and publications by following us on our social media channels below:

 HOME