Over 300 councils apply for Future High Street Fund

Over 300 councils have applied for the government’s £675m Future High Street Fund.

The fund was first announced in December and according to the government will help local leaders implement ‘bold new visions to transform their town centres’.

Towns bidding for the fund will be supported by the High Streets Task Force, which will be established in 2019 and will support local leadership.

Up to £55 million of the Fund has also been allocated to support the regeneration of ‘heritage high streets’.

The government will now assess the initial applications and make an announcement on places moving forward later this summer.

It was created following a report by the chairman of shoe repair chain Timpson, Sir John Timpson, which warned a lack of ‘inspirational and forward-looking’ local leadership, planning issues and a shortage of specialist expertise in space design are contributing to failing town centres.

‘More than 300 bids to the Future High Street Fund is a fantastic response and shows the passion across the country to meet the challenges facing our high streets head-on,’ said high streets minister, Jake Berry.

‘I look forward to reviewing the innovative proposals from local leaders to transform our high streets and town centres and make them fit for the future.

‘We’re determined to ensure high streets continue to sit at the heart of our communities for generations to come. Our Future High Streets Fund will sit front and centre of our Plan for the High Street as we work to achieve this aim,’ added Mr Berry.