THE county’s high streets are in line for a financial boost as part of the government’s pledge to invest millions into improving the nation’s shopping experience.
Rob Strettle, of Northumberland County Council’s economic and regeneration service, revealed at the latest Tynedale Local Area Council meeting that the signs were promising that the county would get its fair of the £675m Future High Streets Fund recently announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The fund has been created to support local areas to prepare long term strategies for high streets and town centres, with new High Streets Taskforce teams set to be introduced to provide expert advice and hands-on support.
The potential funding would be in addition to money promised to the county through the creation of the North of Tyne Combined Authority and Borderlands deal, and was revealed by Mr Strettle.
Nick Oliver, county councillor for Corbridge, said he welcomed the new investment and hoped some science-inspired businesses would be attracted to the district.
“We need to redesign our town centres and encourage more people to live in our town centres,” he said.
“We need to be more creative in our shops, and we need to act quickly before all the money runs out.”
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