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New funding to 'restore pride' in local high streets

James FellNorth West
News imageGreat Manchester Combined Authority Manchester Mayor Bev Craig has short blonde hair and wears a white blazer. She is mid-conversation, standing outside addressing a peopleGreat Manchester Combined Authority
Bev Craig announced the new funding package in Middleton during her second week as Mayor of Greater Manchester

Businesses, charities and community groups across Greater Manchester will soon be able to apply for a share of a new £20m fund aimed at improving local high streets.

Mayor Bev Craig announced the Good Growth High Streets Fund during a visit to Middleton town centre, saying she wanted people to feel the benefits of Greater Manchester's economic growth in the places where they live.

The fund is expected to open for applications later this year, although details of how much individual projects will be able to bid for have not yet been announced.

The mayor's office says the scheme could support a range of ideas to help town and district centres attract more visitors, including bringing empty shops back into use and supporting community events.

Craig said many residents were concerned by the decline of some high streets, pointing to boarded-up shops, derelict buildings and the loss of independent businesses.

"Our high streets are the beating hearts of our communities, and people want to feel pride about where they live," she said.

Announcing the fund, she added: "Our new £20 million Good Growth High Streets Fund is all about restoring pride in a vibrant high street, backing our neighbourhoods and spreading the rewards of good economic growth everywhere."

Town centre regeneration

The launch is part of a wider programme called Our High Streets, which will run throughout Craig's mayoral term. A new High Streets Taskforce, made up of businesses and community groups, will be established to help shape the plans.

The funding comes alongside other regeneration programmes already operating across Greater Manchester, including the £2bn Good Growth Fund and the Foundational Economy Innovation Fund, which supports community-led projects in local neighbourhoods.

The new funding package was launched on Monday in Middleton, where work is continuing on proposals for a Mayoral Development Corporation. The body, co-chaired by actor Steve Coogan and Co-operatives UK chief executive Rose Marley, aims to help deliver around 1,500 homes and support the regeneration of the town centre.

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