- Burnley set to benefit as one of 70 local authorities chosen in the first tranche to receive help through the High Street Task Force.
- Burnley and Padiham also set to receive £78,000 through the Welcome Back Fund to help with the safe return of shoppers as restrictions are eased.
Burnley is set to benefit from the Government’s High Street Task Force which has been setup to give tailored support and guidance to local leaders and business owners in order to revitalise town centres across the Country.
The Task Force will see experts brought in to work with Burnley Borough Council, local business owners, residents and Burnley’s Member of Parliament Antony Higginbotham to bring about a positive change on the high street.
Created in response to the recommendations of the High Streets Expert Panel which was chaired by the hugely successful entrepreneur Sir John Timpson it will give stakeholders access to up-to-date behavioural data that will provide insights into consumer habits and information on positive steps that can be taken to improve Burnley’s town centre.
Recognising that successful change is created by local communities who have a vision for their high streets, the new task force will be working to develop a vision for Burnley which will allow businesses to adapt to changing consumer habits.
Commenting on the announcement local MP Antony Higginbotham said,
We now have a roadmap out of these restrictions and as we start to see the economy opening up again we need to be doing all that we can to make our highstreets in Burnley and Padiham attractive, not just to local residents but also those who live in neighbouring towns and villages who will visit our shops, pubs and restaurants.
As I said during the General Election campaign, I am determined to see our Borough get the Government focus we deserve and so I’m delighted that we’re receiving this level of support. I’ll continue to do everything possible to support the regeneration of our town centre because I know how important it is for our local economy.
On top of the new Highstreets Task Force Burnley Council is also set to receive further Government funding of £78,000 to help prepare for the safe return of shoppers over the coming months. Pubs, restaurants and listed buildings are to be given more flexibility to use their land to help more people meet up and enjoy themselves, including erecting marquees in pub gardens for the whole of the summer.
This funding can be used by Burnley Council to:
- Boost the look and feel of the high street 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