Havant MP Alan Mak has helped to secure over £177,000 to help local high streets re-open and attract shoppers and visitors. Havant Borough Council is receiving an extra £65,000 as part of the £177,000 compared to most councils due to an extra Government supplement for coastal areas.
The Government’s Welcome Back Fund has been launched to help communities prepare for the end of lockdown when it is safe to do so. This is part of a wider 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.
Improvements can be made to high streets across the Havant Constituency to help them safely and successfully open after lockdown thanks to this new Government funding.
A total of £56 million will be invested through the new Welcome Back Fund to help communities across England 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 this Summer.
Havant Constituency MP Alan Mak said he was delighted the area is receiving £177,726 and looks forward to seeing how the money will be spent to help attract people back to the high streets post-lockdown. Havant Borough Council will receive the funds locally.
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.
Additional funding has been made available to support coastal areas, so coastal areas across England, which includes the Havant area, can safely welcome holiday makers in the coming months.
The new Welcome Back Fund is part of a package announced by the 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.
Local MP Alan Mak said: “Our high streets have had a tough year, and I’ve been working hard to help them recover. I’ve helped to secure over £177,000 for our local area from the Government’s new Welcome Back Fund, which will help our high streets reopen safely this summer as restrictions lift.”
“I have been lobbying the Communities Secretary in Westminster and this new money will ensure that our high streets across the Havant Constituency have the support they need as we move into recovery, and build back better from the pandemic.”
““We are all looking forward to being reunited with friends and family outdoors and making a safe return to our favourite shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants, and this new money will help ensure this done safely.”
