Blackpool's £5.1m Shared Prosperity Fund plans approved

Blackpool's plans to invest £5.1m of the government's Shared Prosperity Fund in a range of projects including business support and flood protection have been approved.

The council pitched for the funds in April, and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has now issued the go-ahead.

The plans were drawn up following an evaluation process which included input from the public, private and voluntary sectors through the Town Deal Board and its Town Deal Investment Panel.

Thirteen capital and revenue project proposals were agreed under the themes of people and skills, supporting local businesses and community and place.

The schemes will provide a wide range of support from physical town centre regeneration, through to direct business support encouraging existing and new business development, low carbon schemes and community skills and improved learning projects for residents.

The council sought to access £812,000 for three projects. The Youth Hub, now referred to as The Platform, which opened on Cookson Street earlier this year; will support disadvantaged 16-24 year olds to access the skills they need to progress in life and into work.

Another scheme will provide intensive wrap around support to unemployed Blackpool residents living in the most disadvantaged wards who are furthest away from the labour market and the “Let’s get digital” project to improve digital inclusion.

£1.2m has been allocated to supporting local businesses through a variety of schemes including enhanced business support to increase entrepreneur and business engagement.

Finally, £2.89m will be allocated to community and place. This theme includes eco-coaching for residents, the establishment of an eco-hub and an incentive for resident property owners to invest in flood protection measures.

Another scheme will provide infrastructure support to the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector (VCFSE). The scheme would increase the capacity of the local VCFSE sector to deliver support to the community.

There are also ambitions to improve public realm and wayfinding in the town centre. The feasibility of extending the Grundy Art Gallery and Library and a review of the wider Queen Street area along with the continuation of Showtown’s community engagement project was also put forward.

The projects will be administered by the council and some delivered through a variety of external organisations through commissioning arrangements.

Coun Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council, said: "The Shared Prosperity Fund is a welcome boost but it was a challenging exercise to decide which projects to put forward for approval. We want to make the biggest impact possible with the funding that has been allocated to us.

"We have ensured that the investment plan ties in with our existing strategies so we can enhance projects and initiatives that are already under way."