Burnley Express #supportlocal campaign gets Government support as calls grow to reinvigorate Burnley and Padiham high streets

Burnley MP Antony Higginbotham secured the commitment from Government during House of Commons questions yesterday.

It means that Burnley will now be able to apply for part of the Towns Fund – an initiative set up to regenerate towns within the UK by providing funds for local projects.

Earlier this year the Government announced the first 100 towns receiving funding through a £3.6 billion Towns Fund pot.

Although Burnley was not on this initial list, the second phase of the scheme is approaching where omitted towns will be able to competitively bid for funding to help business growth

Mr Higginbotham MP said “I’ve seen for myself the incredible work shops in Burnley and Padiham have done to make sure they are 'Covid-Secure' and as we come out of the period it’s important we support our local businesses.

"Covid-19 is only one of the challenges facing our town centre and high streets, but I’m committed to getting our borough firing on all cylinders. Pleased to hear the Secretary of State agree to work with me on making that happen for us locally, and the opportunity for Burnley and Padiham to bid for part of the Towns Fund.

Communities, businesses and local leaders are able to join forces to draw up ambitious plans to transform their town’s economic growth prospects with a focus on improved transport, broadband connectivity, skills and culture.

Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, said: "Ensuring that prosperity and opportunities are available to everyone in this country, not just those in London or our biggest cities, is at the heart of the mission of this government.

"We want to level-up our great towns, raising living standards and ensuring they can thrive with transformative investment in transport, technology, skills and culture."

The Town Deals Fund builds directly on the government’s commitment to decentralising funding and taking decisions away from Whitehall and investing in the growth of local economies and devolving powers through ambitious City and Growth Deals, providing more than £9 billion of funding to Local Enterprise Partnerships and introducing eight metro mayors in England.

While speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Jenrick also endorsed the Burnley Express's #supportlocal campaign which has been encouraging shoppers to take to the high street and buy from local traders as lockdown restrictions ease.

He said: “I’d like to support and strongly endorse the campaign of the local newspaper the Burnley Express and encourage [the people of Burnley] to support the local business community by finding time to shop local."