£114,000 boost will help bring Hucknall town centre back to life after lockdown

Improvements will be made to the town centre to help it safely and successfully open, thanks to a £114,528 Government boost for Ashfield.

The funding will help build tourism, improve green spaces and provide more outdoor seating areas, markets and food stall pop-ups – giving people more options to reunite with friends and relatives this summer.

The Government is investing a total of £56 million through its new Welcome Back Fund to help councils prepare for the end of lockdown when it is safe to do so.

Ashfield MP Lee Anderson said he was delighted the area is getting the funds and looks forward to seeing how it will be spent to help attract people back to the high streets post-lockdown.

Mr Anderson said: “I know how difficult it has been for businesses on our high streets over the last year, and I am determined to secure them all the help they need to recover.

“That is why I am delighted that our area will receive £114,528 as part of the Conservative Government’s new Welcome Back Fund, which will help our high streets to reopen safely and successfully this summer as restrictions lift.

“This will ensure that our high streets have the support they need as we move into recovery, and build back better from the pandemic.”

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.

Ashfield is also one of 70 councils across England that will benefit from additional hands on support through the new High Streets Taskforce, a group of elite high streets experts who will visit the area to provide advice on how to make changes to ensure high streets adapt to changing consumer demands and thrive in the years ahead.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick added: “As we move to the next stage on the roadmap, we are all looking forward to being reunited with friends and family. We need to get behind our local businesses and enjoy all that we’ve been missing so much.”