Cornwall will be receiving £609,000 from the new Welcome Back Fund to help prepare to reopen safely and access future economic support.
This funding can be used to improve green spaces and provide more outdoor seating areas, markets and food stall pop-ups – giving people safer options to get together with friends and relatives as well as welcome back tourists safely.
As the nation looks forward to life beginning to return to normal, with people making plans for domestic holidays and days out with friends, the Communities Secretary announced a comprehensive package of support to help kickstart local economies and businesses and give people reassurance they can shop and socialise safely.
Part of this funding will be allocated specifically to support coastal areas such as Cornwall, with funding going to all coastal resorts across England to safely welcome holiday makers in the coming months.
The funding can also be used by councils to:
• Boost the look and feel of their high streets by investing in street planting, parks, green spaces and seating areas to make high streets as beautiful and welcoming as possible
• Run publicity campaigns and prepare to hold events like street markets and festivals to support local businesses
• Install signage and floor markings to encourage social distancing and safety
• Improve high streets and town centres by planting flowers or removing graffiti
Welcoming the news was St Austell and Newquay’s Member of Parliament, Steve Double, who said:
“The Government’s £56million Welcome Back Fund is excellent news for councils across the land, and I am particularly pleased to see funding allocated specifically to support coastal areas like Cornwall ahead of what we all hope will be a busy summer season.”
“This is something I have been requesting for some time and met with Ministerial colleagues earlier this week to press the case.”
“I will certainly be encouraging Cornwall Council to use this money to help coastal communities like Newquay, Mevagissey and Fowey as well as St Austell prepare to bounce back from COVID-19 as soon as possible.”
“As well as assistance to get ready for summer, this funding will also provide Cornwall Council with an additional £100,000 to provide capacity to submit bids for future funding for infrastructure grants through the Levelling Up Fund. I am particularly pleased with this additional element of the funding which I have been specifically asking ministers to provide in order that Cornwall has the best possible opportunity to access the funding available."
Communities Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said:
“As we move to the next stage on the roadmap out of lockdown we are all looking forward to being reunited with friends and family outdoors and making a safe and happy return to our favourite shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants.”
“Our Welcome Back Fund gives every city, town and high street support to prepare for a great summer. This funding will help councils and businesses to welcome shoppers, diners and tourists back safely.”
“As soon as the roadmap allows, we need to get behind our local businesses and enjoy all that this country has to offer and that we’ve been missing so much.”