Wirral Town Teams given funding for regeneration plans (From Wirral Globe)

Wirral Town Teams given funding for regeneration plans

12:23pm Thursday 25th October 2012 in News By Craig Manning

TRADERS and residents' associations in towns across Wirral have received Government funding for plans to regenerate their high streets.

New Ferry Regeneration Action Group and Wirral Chamber of Commerce and Industry are among the groups awarded Town Team Partner status.

They will receive £10,000 which will be used to help them put together a plan for the regeneration of the town.

Also awarded the funding is Hoylake Town Team - (Hoylake Village Life), Moreton Cross Town Team, Seabank Road Town Team in New Brighton.
 

In May and July, Local Government Minister Grant Shapps announced the 27 successful candidates to become Portas Pilots, sharing a slice of £2.7 million of funding to regenerate their high streets.

More than 400 candidates applied to become Portas Pilots. The unsuccessful candidates were offered the chance to become Town Team Partners.

Pat Hackett, Wirral’s cabinet member for regeneration and planning, said: "This announcement is fantastic news for some of our key shopping areas and will enable them to access opportunities that they may not have otherwise been available to them.

"These funds will help our Town Team Partners to benefit from the advice and support of other associations around the country."

Wirral South MP Alison McGovern worked with councillors New Ferry Resident’s Group, local traders and Port Sunlight Village Trust to make the bid.

She said: "The recession is clearly damaging our local shopping area. Our team of interested parties will now be using the small amount of funding to come up with a plan on how we can turn the fortunes of New Ferry Town Centre around.

"There are a high proportion of empty shops, and a lot of them are in a poor state of repair.

"People's shopping habits are changing with the rise of internet shopping and out-of-town shopping centres.

"But these challenges are not insurmountable, and I believe that New Ferry can once again be the bustling heart of our community.

"After looking at all available options, we will put forward a strategy to move the regeneration of New Ferry forward.

"One of the most important tasks is to identify sources of funding.

"Unfortunately the council has had significant cuts in funding from the government, and so it will be necessary to seek out other funders."