Pendle high street funding boost

A total of £56m. 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.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said he was delighted Pendle was getting £81,195 and looks forward to seeing how the money will be spent to help attract people back to the high streets post-lockdown.

Mr Stephenson 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 our area will receive £81,195 as part of the Conservative Government’s new Welcome Back Fund, which will help our high streets to reopen safely and successfully this Summer as restrictions lift.

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

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.

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.

Pendle is also one of 70 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 Pendle adapt to changing consumer demands and thrive in the years ahead.