Five Somerset towns who put in bids for their share of the £1.2m ‘Portas Plan’ pot to regenerate their High Streets will be surprised to hear they were competing against major city centre shopping precincts across the UK.
That’s the view of West ‘Town Teams’ champion James Edwards from Colliers International, who has campaigned to secure additional funding for the region’s embattled High Streets.
Although Bedminster in Bristol and Liskeard in Cornwall feature in the 12-strong list of towns to share the £1.2m ‘Town Team’ pot, the planning and heritage specialist has questioned the selection of major commercial and retail centres including Stockport, Wolverhampton and Croydon.
He said: “The five Somerset towns who went after the award – Chard, Wellington, Taunton, Wincanton and Burnham – were clearly not expecting to be competing against centres of this size.
“The choices made in the first round of awards will come as a surprise to many people, after all it is the smaller towns that need the help most.”
The 12 winning towns will also receive a tailored support package from the government and retail guru Mary Portas.
Bedminster will use its funding for street art and theatre as well as a bicycle rickshaw service. In Liskeard, activities such as guerrilla gardening and knitted street art will be funded.
James Edwards said: “Although nobody would take issue with the decision to support Bedminster’s main retail streets, the only really practical idea that could make a difference to the area’s future is the fact they are to undertake a parking review to improve traffic.”
The government received more than 370 applications to receive funding. A further 12 pilots are set to be announced by the end of July.
Other first round winners included Bedford, Dartford, Margate, Market Rasen, Nelson, Newbiggin and Stockton-on-Tees in Teesside.
James Edwards concluded: “The £100,000 would be most effectivey spent on raising the profile of town centre, highlighting what they have to offer and strengthening local trade associations at ground level.
“It is great that attention is finally being focussed upon the hearts of our towns and cities, hopefully the five small towns in Somerset who went after the award will have better luck in July. In any event it is hoped that in putting the bid together they have now put in place a robust organisational framework to drive forward a revitalisation of the towns even in the money was not forthcoming”
