Blyth town centre

Blyth scoops extra funding for town centre scheme

Blyth is to get a further £750,000 cash boost as plans for its regeneration continue to gather pace.

It’s been named as one of the areas to secure a share of an additional £96m in government funding to accelerate investment in town centres and high streets through the Towns Fund this year. 

The money has to be spent on delivery within the next eight months with the overall scope of the fund including improvements to the high street, parks and transport.

The funding is awarded to Blyth as one of the government’s 101 ‘Town Deal’ towns.  Each has been allocated an additional sum to spend this financial year to boost the fortunes of the town and aid economic recovery.  

Alan Ferguson, of local firm Fergusons Transport, Chair of the Blyth Town Deal board established earlier this year, welcomed the early financial boost for the town 

He said: “This is a really exciting time for Blyth - this additional capital for the town will kick start our transformative work prior to submitting to the government our plans for Blyth's £25m Town Deal.”

Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “This is another great boost for the town ahead of the Future High Streets Fund application in the coming weeks.  

“There’s a real buzz around the future of Blyth and we are committed to maintaining this momentum.  We will make further announcements in due course as to how this funding can be used to support the town’s plans for renewal.”

Last month major plans to kick start Blyth town centre’s renewal moved a step closer as the County Council agreed to support a near £40 million investment programme prior to a bid to the national Future High Streets Fund (FSHF) this summer.

Subject to a successful FHSF application, the town centre development programme could be delivered from next year. It will be made up of a combination of funding from the FHSF and the County Council.

The plans to be submitted to the FHSF are based on extensive feedback from the community and more details will be issued later this year. 
 
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