Towns to receive £325,000 boost

Towns and Local Centres across Greater Birmingham and Solihull are set to receive a £325,000 funding boost from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP).

This funding is part of the GBSLEP 's ongoing work through the Towns and Local Centres Framework which takes a coordinated view of regeneration in towns and local centres and delivers the LEP's strategic ambition of creating the best city-region to live in by 2030.

As a way of driving sustainable economic growth and creating more spaces across the city-region where people want to visit, work and live, the GBSLEP have provided £1.48m in revenue funding over the last 24 months in support of 36 development projects.

Those set to benefit from this round of grants are Bromsgrove District Council, Lichfield District Council, North Worcestershire Economic Regeneration Development, Jewellery Quarter Development Trust, Colmore and Retail and Southside Business Improvement Districts in Birmingham city centre.

Each allocation of funding will range between £50,000 and £70,000 and will go towards supporting solutions to unlock derelict sites, creating green infrastructures, 1:1 business support and the formations of cultural hubs.

Details of the individual projects include:

• Jewellery Quarter Development Trust Jewellery Quarter: Cultural Action Zone ( £70k). Development studies for more neglected parts of the area, the potential for a creative incubator and visitor economy activity options.
• Colmore and Retail BIDs Developing Green Infrastructure ( £50k). Solutions for green infrastructure to work towards carbon reduction, improve air quality and create engaging spaces that will attract workers, visitors, and shoppers back to the central part of Birmingham.
• Bromsgrove District Council Recovery through creativity ( £50k). Support a creative industries and culture led economic recovery in Bromsgrove town centre and the high street.
• Southside BID Southside Cultural Action Zone ( £50k). Commission a Southside Cultural Action Plan and create solutions for better access.
• Lichfield District Council Lichfield City Green Public Realm Strategy ( £70k). Additional strategies and expansion of solutions to create public space, pedestrianisation, car parking and green infrastructure.
• North Worcestershire Economic Regeneration Development Kidderminster Market Street Redevelopment ( £35k). Preparatory research work to enable the unlocking of a derelict site.

Chair of GBSLEP, Tim Pile, said: “Now is the time to show commitment to the development of our towns and local centres. Covid-19 has wreaked havoc in many areas but as a LEP we recognise that thriving, vibrant local centres are vital to the growth and development of our region.

“The grants awarded will enable organisations to move forward, creating plans to help local businesses recover and to create attractive offerings for visitors and residents. It is great to see projects putting low-carbon at the heart of regeneration, as well as looking at the value of investment in the creative and visitor industries.

“I am certain that foundations are being laid to help bring people back into our local centres as we all look towards inclusive economic recovery. ”