A new £8.1 million fund for councils in the South East to support their local high streets to get safely back to business has been announced by High Streets Minister Simon Clarke today (Sunday).
To prepare for the reopening of non-essential retail when the scientific advice allows, the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund will help councils in England – including the Isle of Wight – introduce a range of safety measures in a move to kick-start local economies, get people back to work and customers back to the shops.
It will also support a range of practical safety measures including new signs, street markings and temporary barriers. This will help businesses get ready for when they can begin trading safely, not only in high streets and town and city centres, but also in other public spaces like beachfronts and promenades.
Councils will also be able to use this money to develop local marketing campaigns to explain the changes to the public and reassure them that their high streets and other commercial areas are safe.
It is the Government’s ambition to reopen non-essential retail in a phased way from 1st June, subject to the scientific advice. The Government will set out further detail on how and when these can reopen safely on Thursday.
High Streets Minister Simon Clarke MP has said:
“As we begin to slowly return to normality, the re-opening of our high streets will be key to kick-starting our economic recovery.
“Levelling up the regions and supporting our high streets has always been central to the mission of this Government.
Article continues below this advertisement “Many businesses have already introduced creative ways of trading such as contactless collection or taking orders by instant messaging and this shows that they are ready for the challenges ahead.
“That’s why we are providing an extra £8.1 million for councils across the South East to support a range of safety measures that will help get these businesses back on track and ensure that people can enjoy their time visiting their local high street safely again.”
The funding comes from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) that the Government is making available to councils to support businesses to re-open safely following guidance published on 13th May to help adapt urban centres and green spaces for social distancing during the pandemic.
The money, totalling £50million in England will be allocated to councils on a per capita basis and will be ready to spend from 1st June 2020.
“Councils will also be able to use this money to develop local marketing campaigns to explain the changes to the public and reassure them that their high streets and other commercial areas are safe.“
Well, going on the Isle of Wight Councils past performance with money matters, I have a horrible feeling that there won’t be much left for the actual businesses after The various campaign consultation processes have been completed!
One expects at least one councillor business person will have already allocated his share of this fund to there seaside kiosk outlets yet still paying cash in hand to some of his workers.
Like main Government, odd how they can preach to others yet do just what they want, and being so well off, breaking the rules seems even more distasteful than if such is broken by someone really struggling to make ends meet yet of whom these greedy people would happily expose as frauds and cheats.
No small wonder the much of the public have lost faith with those in any form of power. They are so very often the most corrupt, and seemingly untouchable.
All it takes is having big b…s it would seem.
Still get voted in though, go figure!
How jealous are you lol! If you was an entrepreneur maybe you would have a business as well. Take note visitors to the Island.
Which Ryde geezer are you referring to?
No-one has ‘mentioned’ Ryde, but, if the cap fits…… Perhaps you KNOW the person in question very well one would guess.
If your not going to put the information up, why don’t you shut up? ,Either stand up and declare your slanderous quote or eat your words Dinky.
How true your words are Binky
It’s a shame….but most now realise these government announcements mean little to local high streets …as comments have stated ….and just supplement local council pension and pay increases
And of course our council will grab some, then make cuts and finally give themselves a big fat pay rise.
Island full of bitter jealous people.
not at all, are you a councillor then Gungadin. If you don’t like it here, you always have the option to leave.
I’m ashamed to say I lived on the Island, slanderous small minded Mark and so what if a Cllr has an entrepreneur in him. That’s more than most!
How about re opening some of the banks that should help footfall. We need to get tourists back to try and salvage something out of this mess. But in a strickly controlled way. All very well giving money to local Councils for regeneration of our High Streets as long as it gents spent on them and not yet another study.