Simon Jupp MP has welcomed new government funding to invest and improve our high streets and town centres.
East Devon District Council will receive £230,992 from the government to prepare our high streets, town centres and seaside resorts for summer, and support plans to bid for further investment.
The government's Welcome Back Fund will help our towns prepare for the safe return of shoppers and tourists. The government has recognised the need for extra support to help coastal communities across the country like Exmouth level up, and this has been reflected in the significant sum.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government wrote to the council this week and set out how any amount of this total funding can be used to put together a strong bid for the government’s multi-billion-pound Levelling Up Fund and Community Renewal Funds.
The Levelling Up Fund is currently open for applications of up to £20 million to regenerate and improve High Streets in places like Exmouth. The new fund builds on the work of smaller schemes which predate the pandemic, including the Future High Streets Fund.
Proper plans to improve Exmouth’s High Street will need to be submitted by the council. East Devon District Council can use this government-provided funding to put together the best bid for the largest town in East Devon.
Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon, said; “I have spoken up for Exmouth in Parliament and now funding which can be used to develop plans to improve our town is on the way. East Devon District Council needs to submit a strong bid to be considered for up to £20 million for Exmouth’s High Street. I hope the council will work with me to grasp this opportunity for the good of our town.”