THE FUND COULD PROVIDE AN EXTRA £6.5MILLION FOR DARTFORD TOWN CENTRE
The Government’s Future High Street Fund has today announced that it is supporting Dartford Borough Council’s bid for town centre capital investments. A number of exciting proposals for the town have been shortlisted by the Government for business case development which could lead to over £6.5 million investment to support the town.
The fund is designed to encourage vibrant town centres where people live, shop, use services, and spend their leisure time and has been awarded to those town’s with plans make their high streets and town centres fit for the future.
The Council worked in partnership with local businesses and the Town Centre Partnership to develop the bid, and it comes on the back of recent investment of over £12 million that is being used to enhance the town’s tired and confused road network.
Council Leader Jeremy Kite said, “We’ve been working with our local businesses to develop the town and we’re pleased that our plans have been recognised by Government. Despite Dartford’s rapid growth, the town centre still faces challenges. Many of these are shared with towns across the country that are responding to a changing retail landscape. However, Dartford’s business community have made it clear that they want their town to be defined by its ambition and ability to adapt to change which strongly came through in our successful bid”.
Paul Shaw, Chairman of Dartford Town Centre Partnership Board added, “The Board was pleased to assist in developing the bid, and I’m delighted that we’ve been selected to take our plans forward. It’s more great news for Dartford Town Centre”.
The funding will support proposals for the repurposing of redundant town centre facilities for alternative use (for example for leisure and workspace purposes), and a practical ‘routemap’ for the town centre’s resilience and diversity over the next 5-10 years. Discussions have already taken place with major landlords in the town and early delivery could help to unlock the town’s wider development. The plans will also drive footfall to the town, help bring new and existing residents together, improve health facilities, and the local public service offer.
The Council looks forward to working with The Future High Streets Fund team and further information on the funding can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/future-high-streets-fund-call-for-proposals