East and West Sussex among 50 Coastal Communities Fund winners named and next round unveiled as £64 million pot.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander and Communities Secretary Eric Pickles announced a multi-million pound package to create jobs and apprenticeships in coastal towns across the country, including areas affected by the recent floods, as part of the UK government's long-term economic plan.
Over 50 projects across the UK were today awarded a share of £27.7 million of funding, supporting over 4,000 jobs and creating over 1000 new apprenticeships and training places.
They include Arun District Council in West Sussex, which has been awarded £1.65 million to renovate and regenerate the central public realm areas of Bognor Regis, to create a vibrant, modern and attractive seaside town centre leading to the creation of 178 indirect jobs.
In East Sussex, Lewes District Council successfully bid for £1.9 million to rejuvenate the economy of Newhaven, near Brighton, by developing linkages between existing facilities on Denton Island on the River Ouse in central Newhaven. The project will provide new Innovation Space at an existing Enterprise Centre, construct new training rooms and create a Café providing extra space for networking. It will create 6 direct and 29 indirect jobs.
Commenting on Arun District Council's successful bid, Leader, Councillor Mrs Gillian Brown, said:
"At last Bognor Regis will get the new town centre it needs and deserves. The town centre-wide design scheme created by LDA Design was resoundingly approved by the public during the public consultation, and we've had overwhelming support from the traders.
"When the work is complete we are confident the redesigned public realm will attract new shops and shoppers to the town centre, and encourage visitors to stay longer in the town. All of this will help safeguard existing businesses, attract new businesses to the town and provide the right environment for companies to create more jobs for the town centre. This will keep more local money within the local economy."
Chris Heaps, Chair of the Bognor Regis Traders' Association which represents more than 300 town centre businesses, added:
"This is a fantastic boost for Bognor Regis Town Centre - the current phase of improvements to the London Road precinct was almost unanimously approved by traders and this announcement adds masses of icing to that cake. These additional works will help to bring the businesses on Station Road, London Road North and York Road into the 'Shopping Centre' and will guide visitors through the town from the station to our greatest asset, the seafront. I am very excited about this new funding and believe that it will be the first step towards securing Bognor Regis' future prosperity."
Commenting on the Newhaven bid, Councillor Rob Blackman, Leader of Lewes District Council said:
"This is fantastic news for Newhaven and creates a real catalyst for change, offering a unique opportunity for exciting economic growth. The Newhaven Growth Quarter scheme will create new employment opportunities and support that will help local people back into work, as well as creating a culture of enterprise for young people starting work. The total investment of £2.25 million (1.9 million plus £175K from Lewes District Council and £150K from East Sussex County Council) will benefit and make a real difference to so many people in and around Newhaven."
Ron Crank, Chief Executive, Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership, said:
"It is really excellent news that just over £3.5 million is to be ploughed into the key coastal towns of Newhaven and Bognor Regis. Revitalising these coastal towns is a priority for Coast to Capital as they need to be an attractive prospect for visitors and investors alike. These two towns need to be encouraged to compete in the global markets that are out there. Equally, we are also very keen for local people to benefit from their regeneration."
Creating new jobs and apprenticeships in coastal communities
The Coastal Communities Fund was created to direct regeneration investment to seaside towns and villages to help rebalance their local economies, reduce unemployment and create new work opportunities for young people from the local area.
The fund has already supported more than 100 projects in the first two years delivering over 4,000 jobs and over 1,000 apprenticeships. This takes the expected total, including today's projects, to over 6,500 jobs and 2,000 apprenticeships.
The new projects announced today include £1.3 million to diversify the tourism offer in Southend including a Seafront Apprenticeship scheme, £170,000 to develop the Arran Coastal Way in Scotland, £270,000 to develop Northern Ireland's first lobster hatchery and £100,000 to support the creation of a new water sports centre in Colwyn Bay in Wales.
Issued on behalf of DCLG and HM Treasury by Regional News Network. Media inquiries to 0303 444 1201 or
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