On June 8, 2021 in England, the local MP for Hastings and Rye, Sally-Ann Hart MP, announced that the Hastings Town Deal Board had successfully bid for over £24 million in funding to help revitalize the town and regenerate the area.
On hearing the news, Hart said, “I am thrilled at this fantastic investment in our town, businesses and residents. With over £24 million in funding a real step change can be made in the prospects of Hastings and St Leonards.”
Photo of Hastings and Rye via Pixabay.
“There were some fantastic programs included in the bid, which will now make final business cases to the Government to get the money to invest; from investing in Hastings Castle, to improving the town centre; creating opportunities for green sector jobs to improving local public realm for residents and visitors to enjoy. This is a great boost for our town and an announcement that should excite us all,” she added.
This announcement was part of the £610 million that has been awarded to 26 towns across England to boost their local economies, create jobs and help them build back better from the pandemic. The money will help them to grow their local economies, while also carving out new opportunities to reshape the look and feel of their areas.
Councillor Andy Patmore, the Leader of the Conservative Group on Hastings Borough Council, also welcomed the news, saying “With match funding and financing from the private and public sector, the Town Deal represents more than £100 million of cash inflow to Hastings. Plans to provide green low carbon skills training, promote our unique heritage and regenerate the town centre to provide an urban mix of businesses and housing, will provide jobs and a long-term boost for our local economy.”
The Deals will help breathe new life into neglected areas or unused buildings by creating vibrant spaces for businesses, community events or much needed new homes. The Deals will also create thousands of jobs, with many towns investing in opportunities to improve skills through new vocational training hubs that will support high skilled and higher paid jobs in the area for local people.
hart concluded by saying “I would like to thank everyone who was involved with the bid that was put together, including the members of the Towns Deal Board, led brilliantly by Carole Dixon and Graham Peters, and also to the Officers at the Council who put in the hard work of designing and formulating this fantastic bid. Finally, I want to thank everyone who came forward with ideas on ways in which we could improve our area, and although not every project could be included in the bid, I was inspired by the enthusiasm and creativity of so many people across our town. It gives real hope for the future.”
Photo of Sally-Ann Hart courtesy of the office of Sally-Ann Hart, MP.