Extra £370k to help city recover

ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO DRIVE FOOTFALL AND HELP CREATIVE AND CULTURAL ECONOMIES

FUNDS have been found for Leicester’s post-pandemic recovery with support for its cultural and creative economy.

An additional £370,000 has been set aside for the latest series of measures by Leicester City Council.

The cash will go towards generating footfall and attracting investment as part of the long-term plan to help the city bounce back after Covid-19.

Of the latest funding, £30,000 has been earmarked for projects involving partners including De Montfort University and the University of Leicester.

The cash will go towards research into the economic, environmental and social challenges Leicester is facing with a focus on supporting “green jobs”. The council’s Economic Recovery Plan was first drawn up in November 2020.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “This additional funding will help accelerate that recovery as we move forward.

“The measures set out here are all designed to enable short and longterm growth in the economy, attracting investment, generating footfall and promoting the city, which are all vital steps to ensure we emerge from Covid-19 in as strong a position as possible.”

To help the city’s long-term cultural and creative economy, the city council is investing £125,000.

It will also support the creation of a new archive celebrating the contribution of African and Caribbean communities to the East Midlands.

Following the success of the Summer in the City programme hosted by the council earlier this year, £150,000 will be invested in a scheme of activities called “Animating the City” to drive footfall to Leicester next year.

Of the funding, £65,000 will be used for work to develop long-term plans to help the city’s growth, attract investors and drive business recovery.

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