Welcome funding for the high street
LOCAL councils across the country are receiving money from the government to help assist in attracting customers back to our high streets.
The Welcome Back Fund is providing councils with a share of money from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support the safe return to high streets and help build back better from the pandemic.
This funding builds on the Reopening High Street Safely Fund (RHSSF) allocated to councils in 2020 and forms part of the wider support government is providing to communities and businesses.
Retail and hospitality have been hit especially hard during the various lockdowns but as restrictions start to ease and measures are brought in to kick start the economy, local business owners and the council are keen to make our high streets welcoming and safe places to visit.
Coun Alyson Barnes, Rossendale council leader, said: “It’s fantastic to see our high streets and small independent businesses back open across Rossendale. We want to make our high streets vibrant and attractive again and will be working hard to help these businesses get back on their feet.
“All of them have worked extremely hard to ensure the safety of the public and it’s important now that the shoppers of Rossendale come out and support them and so far, that seems to be the case.”
The fund will allow councils to boost the look and feel of their high streets by investing in street planting, green spaces and seating areas to make high streets welcoming and install and refresh signage to encourage social distancing and safety.
Coun Barnes added: “The residents of Rossendale are friendly welcoming people, and we want to help make our high streets reflect that friendly nature. As well as new signage to encourage people to shop safely we are also hoping to make our high streets look even more attractive.”
The council is encouraging people to stay and support local shops and businesses and keep safe.