July 15, 2020 - 1991 views
The Welsh Government has made up to £9 million available to support town centres recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hannah Blythyn has announced up to £5.3 million from the Transforming Towns programme will be used to fund adaptions in town centres to support traders and improve public safety in response to coronavirus.
During a visit to Rhyl, Hannah Blythyn said the £5.3 million repurposed capital funding from the Transforming Towns programme, will be used to fund adaptions in town centres to facilitate trading and public safety in response to Coronavirus.
This will include but not limited to; outdoor awnings, outdoor tables and chairs, outdoor heating, outdoor screening, bollards, planters, small green infrastructure schemes, electricity supply and lighting to outdoor trading spaces and the temporary use of vacant buildings and the establishment of local markets.
The £9 million fund will complement other support targeting town centre recovery including:
£15.4 million Local Sustainable Transport fund to provide better active and sustainable travel infrastructure to make it safer and easier for people to get around their local town and funding to support Business Improvement Districts’ running costs for three months.
The Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hannah Blythyn said: "We all know that town centres are facing huge challenges in light of Covid-19 but I am committed to ensuring Welsh town centres not only survive but thrive.
"Investing in our town centres is as relevant as ever but as we do not yet now the longer term impact Coronavirus will have on our town centres, it is vital any short term actions have a lasting impact and enhance the look and feel of our town centres.
"This is why I’m announcing that £5.3 million will be available during the remainder of 2020-21 to fund adaptations in town centres, which will facilitate trading and public safety in response to Coronavirus.
"This will include things like outdoor tables and chairs, awnings and planters to ensure that areas are segregated and safe and that business can operate under current social distancing requirements. These actions will provide a sense of wellbeing, safety and confidence to encourage people to return to the high street.
"As we plan to reopen our public spaces and town centres, we have a unique opportunity to re-think and to re-imagine our town centres as we would like them to be – greener, cleaner, more connected.
The announcement comes the day before the second meeting of the Ministerial Town Centre Action Group. The group, set up by the Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government aims determine how best to use existing funds and prioritise further actions and resources to bolster town centres in the short and long term.
