West Suffolk Council secures £192,000 to help improve town centres and high streets

A council has created a town centre fund using part of the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) to improve its town centres and high streets

By securing more than £192,000 of the UKSPF for 2024 to 2025, West Suffolk Council will use the money to raise people’s satisfaction with their town centre and will improve engagement in local culture and community.

It follows on from £38,000 of UKSPF from last year to support town centres in West Suffolk.

West Suffolk’s investment must result in increased footfall, increased visitor numbers, reduced town centre premises vacancy rates, rehabilitated premises, public realm improvements and the creation of more wheelchair accessible/step free space in town centres.

The scheme is open to town councils and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in the West Suffolk district and where there is both a BID and town council representing one area, both should coordinate one bid for their activities.

Cllr Cliff Waterman, leader of West Suffolk Council, said: “I am pleased that we are able to secure funding to further help our communities and businesses in West Suffolk.

“This opportunity is welcomed as an addition to the money we already invest as a council or attract from other partners.

“It is vital for us to support town centres and make investments that improve on the provision of quality spaces to visit and improve sustainability in the places that our residents use to live, shop, work and play.

“I look forward to working with our applicants and others to deliver these initiatives here in West Suffolk as soon as possible.

West Suffolk Council have identified priorities for the town centre fund and applicants must ensure that their application fits with one or more of the following:

-visual improvements to town centres and high streets

-support to bring empty premises back into use

-public realm improvements for example litter, waste and graffiti reduction

-cultural/visitor economy interventions

-projects to prevent and reduce antisocial behaviour

-capital funding to improve neighbourhoods or community projects and initiatives

-creation of more wheelchair accessible or step free space in town centres