Funding to aid our high streets

High streets across Bath and North East Somerset have been awarded £500,000 in funding to help breathe new life into vacant shops and buildings.

The money has been awarded by the West of England Combined Authority’s recovery fund and will see the premises used in creative projects and pop-up businesses.

Earlier in March the Chronicle’s website Bath Live looked into the problems of empty shops across the city and found that the council alone had 29 vacant premises, 11 of which were awaiting works.

This new venture, called the Vacant Units Action Project will see empty properties in Bath used for creative projects and pop-up businesses, with satellite projects in Keynsham and Midsomer Norton to follow across a two-year programme.

The project will be delivered by Bath and North East Somerset Council as part of its High Streets Renewal programme and will use the money awarded by the West of England Combined Authority.

Further match funding and inkind support will be provided by the council and Bath BID.

Councillor Richard Samuel, deputy Leader and cabinet member for resources, said: “This targeted project will creatively promote vacant properties as viable letting opportunities and will make our high streets as attractive as possible to potential new occupiers and visitors.”

Tim Bowles, West of England Mayor, said: “I want to re-invigorate the neighbourhoods we all care about - so that residents have everything they need within a 15-minute walking or cycling radius of their home.”

Allison Herbert, chief executive of the Bath BID, said: “We’re pleased to be working in partnership with Bath and North East Somerset Council on this project, which will ensure the city centre’s vacant premises are utilised and the high street remains welcoming.”

The council is also set to refresh Milsom Street ahead of the reopening of non-essential shops and the reintroduction of outdoor dining on April 12. The street will be resurfaced between March 29 and 31 including overnight works.