Thousands more people will be given the power to transform their communities as the Government expands its Pride in Place programme today (5 February).
Local people in 40 new areas across England will be now able to decide where up to £20m is invested in their neighbourhood - whether by breathing new life into high streets, saving community spaces or bringing people together through events and activities.
The new package, worth up to £800m in total, will build on the success of the £5bn Pride in Place programme that’s so far helped hundreds of neighbourhoods “take control of their futures and bring real change to their communities,” the Government said.
In Rawtenstall, for example, students have been asked to imagine their ideal town, while in Hastings, board members have been out talking to people at Park Runs events, festivals and supermarkets to hear what matters most to them.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer (left) said: “It’s the same story in towns across the country. Youth clubs that have been abandoned, shops boarded up and high streets decimated.
“We must reverse the devastating decline in our communities and give power, agency and control to the very people who want to improve their community - those who have skin in the game.”
Communities Secretary, Steve Reed (right), added: “Pride in Place is about giving power to local people who know best what needs to change in their area.
“The ambitious plans we’re seeing take shape in communities across the country is proof that when you give local people the tools to do the job things get better.”
Neighbourhood Boards, who oversee the funding allocated to their communities and are made up of local residents, are now up and running, listening to their communities and deciding where the money will go.
Pride in Place is about “establishing long-term change, and creating a legacy of community-centred action, delivery and empowerment which will last far beyond the decade long programme,” the Government said.
Today’s announcement will mean a total of around 380 areas will get funding, with the benefits rippling far beyond individual neighbourhoods, with thriving and more cohesive communities helping to build a stronger, more prosperous country for everyone.
In response, a leading independent retailers’ association has called for local businesses to be given a say in how Pride in Place funding is spent.
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) welcomed the funding across England but said independent retailers must be part of the decision-making process if high street regeneration is to succeed.
Andrew Goodacre (below left), CEO of Bira, said: “We welcome this expansion of the Pride in Place programme and the Government’s commitment to giving local people control over their neighbourhoods.
“We hope that local businesses will also have a voice in how this money is spent. Independent retailers are at the heart of their communities, and they understand better than anyone what their high streets need to thrive. Their expertise and insight should be part of the decision-making process.”
”Breathing new life into high streets requires more than investment in buildings and public spaces…”
Goodacre added that physical improvements alone would not revive struggling high streets without addressing the underlying challenges facing businesses: “Breathing new life into high streets requires more than investment in buildings and public spaces. We need viable businesses that can afford to trade on those high streets.
“The harsh reality is that this substantial investment could be undermined by the burden of ever-increasing business rates forcing businesses to close, whilst preferential treatment is given to retail parks and large online giants.
“We urge the Government to ensure its community regeneration programmes are matched with fundamental business rates reform to create a level playing field for independent retailers. Without this, we risk having beautifully restored high streets with no businesses to occupy them.”
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