Bolton will receive £235,140 to help local high streets reopen and attract shoppers and tourists.
This is part of a wider £56 million package of measures to revitalise high streets and level up communities – including steps to make it easier for eateries to serve customers outdoors and set up market stalls this summer.
Bolton Council will also benefit from additional hands-on support through a new High Streets Taskforce. This group of high streets experts will visit Bolton North East to advise business owners on how to adapt in the face of changing consumer demands and thrive in the years ahead.
Commenting, Mark Logan MP said:
“I know how difficult it has been for businesses on our high streets over the last year, and I am determined to secure them all the help they need to recover.
This will ensure that our high streets have the backing they need as we move into recovery and adapt to a changing consumer market.
With longer days around the corner and lockdown measures starting to ease, this Welcome Back Fund will hopefully put a spring in the steps of local business owners!”
Councils can use the funding to hold street markets and festivals, boost the look and feel of their high streets, with more seating areas and street planting or less graffiti, and install new signage to help keep people safe as restrictions are lifted.
This is part of a package announced by the Conservative Government to attract people back to high streets safely this summer, including:
- Making it easier for hospitality businesses to operate as takeaways and host markets and stalls.
- Enabling businesses like pubs and restaurants to use their land more flexibly, for example by setting up a marquee or creating new outside space, for the whole summer, so they can serve more customers and recover from the effects of the pandemic.
- Extending pavement licenses for another 12 months, so venues can continue serving customers ‘al fresco’ for longer without red tape.
- Tackling Cowboy private parking firms whose rogue practices can keep visitors away from town.