The County Council has agreed to commit a further £3m towards future improvements in Blyth in a bid being submitted by the end of January 2021 to unlock a new £25m ‘Town Deal’ which is set to be agreed with Government in Spring 2021.   
 

Subject to agreement with the Government, the Deal will provide up to £25m of government ‘Town Deal’ funding and deliver a programme of improvements to help the town to grow, improve and renew between 2022-2026.  
 

It comes on the back of the council being awarded over £11m from the Future High Streets Fund (FHSF) last month which will be complimented by significant funding support of up to £20m by the Council. 
 

The FHSF allocation will support a programme delivering a revitalised Blyth Market Place and Bridge Street with new culture and leisure facilities in the heart of the town centre.   
 

Over the past year, considerable work has been undertaken, in collaboration with the Blyth Town Deal Board, to develop a Town Investment Plan and a suite of projects for submission to the Government. 
 

Now Cabinet has agreed for £3m to be included in the 2021-24 Medium Term Financial Plan. Funded from the existing allocation for the Energising Blyth Town Deal, further demonstrating its commitment to central government ahead of any deal being announced. 
 

Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Cabinet Member with responsibility for economic development, said “These are exciting times for Blyth and this funding demonstrates our continued commitment to securing more funding for the town. 
 

“With our partners and involvement from the local community we’ve spent a lot of time developing a strong bid which will be submitted to government at the end of the month. 
 

Alan Ferguson OBE, Chair of the Blyth Town Deal Board, said "This match funding from Northumberland County Council is a welcome addition to our development plans for Blyth.  As we prepare to submit the Blyth Town Investment Plan to government, we hope that it will assist in unlocking significant public and private investment in the town through the Blyth Town Deal." 
 

Croft County Councillor Kath Nisbet added: “I welcome all investment into the area and with work on Bowes Street set to get underway soon we have our fingers crossed the bid to government for funding will be successful.”