Worcester secures £19.6m to build back better after COVID
Worcester is to receive £19.6m to deliver long-term economic growth for the city and support recovery after COVID.
The award follows the submission of a successful bid by Worcester City Council to the Government's £3.6 billion Towns Fund.
Worcester was one of 101 towns across the UK to be given the opportunity to create a Town Investment Plan, making a compelling pitch for the funding.
"I am delighted that the Government has decided to award the city almost £20 million more to back our regeneration plans," says Cllr Marc Bayliss, Leader of Worcester City Council.
"This money is on top of the £18 million we were awarded last year from the Future High Street Fund and together these funds provide us with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create an even better city, fit for the 21st Century and which helps all our communities to meet their potential. This really is evidence of the Government delivering on its levelling-up agenda."
The Worcester Towns Fund Board, which comprises 14 local organisations, proactively engaged with residents and businesses throughout 2020 to get a broad range of local views on how the money could be invested.
177 suggestions were submitted to the My Town website and a final shortlist of ideas was agreed following public webinars in December hosted by members of the Towns Board.
The Towns Fund Board will be meeting in the near future to consider the details of the award.
Worcester's Town Investment Plan, which was the basis for the successful bid, includes initiatives to regenerate areas of the city and boost the local economy.
Prior to today's announcement, Worcester City Council had already successfully applied for £17.9m from Government's Future High Streets Fund, receiving confirmation at the end of December 2020.
This follows £3m awarded to the City Council from the DCMS Cultural Development Fund, towards the regeneration of the Victorian railway arches from Foregate Street railway station to The Hive and the River Severn.
Members of the Worcester Towns Fund Board are: Worcester City Council, Worcestershire County Council, Worcester Cathedral, Sanctuary Housing, Worcester Community Action, St. Peter's Parish Council, Warndon Parish Council, Worcester Muslim Welfare Association, the Member of Parliament for Worcester, the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, the University of Worcester, the Heart of Worcestershire College, Worcester BID and Severn Arts.