Funding boost for Towns and Local Centres

Towns and Local Centres across Greater Birmingham and Solihull are set to get a £325,000 funding boost from Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership.

Over the past 24 months GBSLEP has provided revenue funding to support the development of projects that look to create places where people want to visit, work and live. 6 towns and local centres have been awarded grants in the current round of funding ranging from £70,000 to £50,000.

Bromsgrove District Council, Lichfield District Council, North Worcestershire Economic Regeneration Development, Jewellery Quarter Development Trust, Colmore and Retail and Southside Business Improvement Districts in Birmingham city centre, are all set to benefit. The money awarded will go towards supporting solutions to unlock derelict sites, creating green infrastructures, 1:1 business support and the formation of cultural hubs.

The funding is part of GBSLEP’s ongoing work through the Towns and Local Centres Framework which takes a coordinated view of regeneration in towns and local centres and delivers the LEP’s strategic ambition of creating the best city-region to live in by 2030. This is the 4^th round of funding. Since March 2019 a total of £1.48m has been allocated to 36 projects across the GBSLEP region.

Chair of GBSLEP, Tim Pile said; “Now is the time to show commitment to the development of our towns and local centres. Covid-19 has wreaked havoc in many areas but as a LEP we recognise that thriving, vibrant local centres are vital to the growth and development of our region.

“The grants awarded will enable organisations to move forward, creating plans to help local businesses recover and to create attractive offerings for visitors and residents.  It is great to see projects putting low-carbon at the heart of regeneration as well as looking at the value of investment in the creative and visitor industries.

“I am certain that foundations are being laid to help bring people back into our local centres as we all look towards inclusive economic recovery.”

Details of Projects Awarded Towns and Local Centres Grant

Jewellery Quarter Development Trust Jewellery Quarter: Cultural Action Zone  (£70k).  Development studies for more neglected parts of the area, the potential for a creative incubator and visitor economy activity options.

Colmore and Retail BIDs Developing Green Infrastructure (£50k). Solutions for green infrastructure to work towards carbon reduction, improve air quality and create engaging spaces that will attract workers, visitors, and shoppers back to the central part of Birmingham.

Bromsgrove District Council: Recovery through creativity(£50k). Support a creative industries and culture led economic recovery in Bromsgrove town centre and the high street.

Southside BID Southside Cultural Action Zone (£50k).  Commission a Southside Cultural Action Plan and create solutions for better access.

Lichfield District Council Lichfield City Green Public Realm Strategy(£70k). Additional strategies and expansion of solutions to create public space, pedestrianisation, car parking and green infrastructure.

North Worcestershire Economic Regeneration Development Kidderminster Market Street Redevelopment  (£35k).  Preparatory research work to enable the unlocking of a derelict site.