£4.7m fund High streets revamp boost
THE city centre and nine high streets will be the first to benefit from a £4.7m cash injection to restore life to the heart of Bristol’s communities.
Local high streets have been suffering for years under pressure from online traders, large supermarkets and retail parks, and the pandemic has only hastened their decline.
Bristol City Council announced in March it was launching a £4.725 million recovery package for the regeneration and recovery of the city centre and 47 high streets.
Last week the city’s ruling Labour cabinet gave its approval to spend the funding, with the city centre and nine high streets across Bristol first in line for recovery and renewal.
The nine high streets are: East Street, Church Road, Shirehampton, Stapleton Road, Filton Avenue, Two Mile Hill, Brislington Hill, Filwood Broadway, Stockwood.
The majority of the funding, £2.725m, has been allocated by the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) from its Love Our High Streets fund.
Addressing cabinet members last week city mayor Marvin Rees said: “This cash boost will help to spearhead the regeneration and recovery of the city centre and 47 high streets across Bristol.
“In total, £2m of funding has been earmarked from my capital recovery fund and £2.7m from Weca’s Love Our High Streets fund which has been ring-fenced for Bristol.
“Nine high streets will be the focus of initial support. The money will be used to improve the street scene, reduce the number of vacant premises by providing financial support to open new businesses including hospitality and creative spaces.
“This investment will see us working with businesses, residents, community groups, the creative and events sector and other stakeholders to design public realm and street scene improvements reflecting the needs and aspirations of each area concerned.”
East Street in Bedminster has already started along the path of regeneration with some local businesses making use of grants of up to £10,000 to regenerate underused shops, cafes, artists studios and offices.
The money was allocated by Weca in 2018 after East Street was chosen along with two other streets in the region to receive Love our High Street pilot project funding.
An ambitious £10m plan to invigorate East Street has also been launched by Bedminster’s business community, after they spent more than a year talking to local residents, people from across South Bristol who visit there already, and traders in East Street.
Southville councillor Tony Dyer told cabinet members: “We are very keen to get investment into the East Street vision.”
The council recently launched a 12-week ‘Where’s It To’ campaign, showcasing 15 of Bristol’s high streets and encouraging residents to shop locally.