Lucy Allan MP has welcomed that as part of the Government's £56 million Welcome Back fund, Telford will receive some £160,404 for its high streets. The Welcome Back fund is designed to give local authorities a pot of money to spend on to boost tourism, improve green spaces, and provide more outdoor seating areas, markets and pop-ups.
The aim of the fund is to encourage people back to the high streets whilst providing safe options to shop and socialise outside.
The funding can also be used by Telford and Wrekin Council to:
- Boost the look and feel of Telford's high streets by investing in street planting, parks, green spaces and seating areas to make high streets as beautiful and welcoming as possible
- Install signage and floor markings to encourage social distancing and safety
- Improve high streets and town centres by planting flowers or removing graffiti
This is on top of the many measures brought in by the Government to support the retail and hospitality sector during the pandemic, including:
- £350 million from the Future High Streets Fund to be invested in 72 areas across England to renew and reshape town centres – making them a more attractive place to live, work and visit.
- Protections from the threat of eviction for businesses unable to pay their rent have been extended until the end of June 2021, helping businesses get back on their feet as restrictions lift across England.
- The High Street Homes Permitted Development Rights will make it easier for disused buildings to be repurposed and provide housing.
- Providing restaurants, pubs and cafes with the freedom to offer takeaway services; and making it easier for businesses and communities to host markets and stalls so customers can be served safely.
- The provision of public toilets is also being reviewed to ensure that there are appropriate facilities for visitors to town centres.
- Through the £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund, the £220 million Community Renewal Fund and the £3.6 billion Towns Fund the Government is investing in long-term infrastructure projects to level up our towns and rural areas and ensure the vitality of our town centres for years to come.
- Some £35 billion in financial support since the start of the pandemic.
