Please note: this article was published on 25th March 2021, the information below may now be out of date. For the latest information, visit our Recovery & Support Hub here.
Measures to support a safe and successful reopening of our treasured high streets and seaside resorts ahead of a great summer were announced recently by Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick.
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.
A new £56 million Welcome Back Fund will help councils boost tourism, improve green spaces and provide more outdoor seating areas, markets and food stall pop-ups – giving people more safer options to reunite with friends and relatives.
Part of this funding will be allocated specifically to support coastal areas, 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
Businesses such as pubs and restaurants, including where these premises are in listed buildings, will be allowed to use their land more flexibly to set up marquees and provide more outdoor space for diners as restrictions ease, allowing them to serve more customers and recover from the effects of the pandemic.
They can be kept up for the whole summer rather than the 28 days currently permitted.
The government has also published its response to the Parking Code Framework which will curb unfair tickets and tackle cowboy parking firms through a new, simplified appeals process. Caps on private parking fines for millions of motorists are also set to be introduced.
About the Welcome Back Fund
This funding builds on the £50 million Reopening High Streets Safely Fund announced in May 2020 which funded local schemes to encouraged communities to shop safely and locally.
The total East Midlands allocation for the Welcome Back Fund is £4.4 million.
Click here to find out more.
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