Blackpool submits £50m bid for Towns Fund

Blackpool Council has put forward an ambitious bid for a share of up to £50m from the government’s £3.6bn Towns Fund.

The local authority is one of 101 UK towns bidding for a Town Deal with an investment of up to £25m in each place, or up to £50m in exceptional circumstances.

The Towns Fund is aimed at unleashing economic growth potential with a focus on regeneration, and was first announced in July 2019.

The bid identifies several key projects, including the relocation of the courts from Blackpool Central to release the latter phase of the site, delivery of new road and access improvements at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone to open up development sites to attract new investment and high-quality jobs.

In addition, it includes the provision of a Youth Hub to help the young unemployed, a town centre-based development to help for start-ups and small businesses, and a scheme to upgrade and modernise the illuminations.

Alongside the Towns Fund bid, a series of further ‘asks’ have been outlined to government to further develop the economy and tackle some of the complex patterns of deprivation.

These include a further £500m Town Deal funding to turbo charge the economy, to ensure a civil service hub is created in the town centre, support the potential of Blackpool’s high speed fibre connection to the North Atlantic Loop and extend the Opportunity Area programme and funding until 2030.

‘Investment in our town is needed more than ever as we move to the next stage of the economic recovery from COVID-19,’ said the chair of Blackpool’s Town Deal Board, Paul Smith.

‘The Town Deal funding will play an important part in the kick-starting of our economic recovery, bringing forward key projects that will help the growth of the town in both the short and long term. The Town Deal Board welcomes the opportunity to develop a long-term strategic partnership with Government that will further develop the economy, tackling some of Blackpool’s historical challenges, leading to a healthier and happier lifestyle for all residents and reduced pressure on the public purse.’

Photo Credit – STVIOD (Pixabay)