Brokenshire announces over £36 million for the great British coast

• People living in coastal communities set to benefit from new investment and economic growth
• 70 projects from Cornwall to Cumbria receive a total of more than £36 million
• Government on track to invest over £200 million in the Great British Coast by 2020

Seventy projects up and down the Great British Coast have been awarded a total of over £36 million from a UK Government fund to help develop and improve tourist attractions, create jobs and promote socio-economic growth.

This major injection of funding for coastal communities will go towards supporting innovative businesses, protecting historic buildings, new museums and restoration much-loved coastal heritage sites. 

This latest investment represents 26 awards from the fifth round of the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund and 44 awards from the third phase of the Coastal Revival Fund in 2018/19. It comes on top of over £180 million from both funds invested in more than 350 projects so far across the UK.

The 26 Coastal Communities Fund projects announced today are forecast collectively to support over 15,000 jobs, and attract up to £40 million in additional investment from public and private sector sources.

Communities Secretary, Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said:

“I am determined to support investment and development of our coastal communities and create an economy that works for everyone as we prepare for Brexit and beyond.

“All of the ambitious projects receiving funding today were designed and developed by local people who know what will make the biggest difference to their areas.

“The sheer range of ideas demonstrate the potential of our coastal communities and will all create good jobs, boost growth and improve people’s lives now and in the future.”

Coastal Communities Minister, Jake Berry MP said:

“This is an investment in the future of our coastal communities which builds on their rich heritage and huge potential.

“The world-class attractions and innovative businesses supported by the Coastal Community Fund and the Coastal Revival Fund will increase tourism, encourage investment and ensure people thrive up and down the Great British Coast.”

Today’s investment in coastal communities builds on the Government’s commitment to ensure people have the opportunities to prosper no matter where they live. The Government recently announced the Stronger Towns Fund, a £1.6 billion investment which will enable new Town Deals across England, and the delivery of locally led projects creating new jobs, providing further training to help people gain valuable skills for employment, and boosting local growth.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Some of the successful projects to receive funds include – PLEASE DO NOT APPROACH ANY OF THE COASTAL COMMUNITIES FUND PROJECTS FOR COMMENT AT THIS STAGE

Bord Waalk – (Northumbrian dialect for Bird Walk) – National Bird Sculpture Trail – Amble Development Trust, Northumberland (Coastal Communities Fund)

£396,000 awarded to the Bord Waalk – National Bird Sculpture Trail in Amble to create a bird themed sculpture trail of national significance to build on the highly successful Harbour Village project and raise the profile of Amble as a tourist destination.

Connecting Cumbria’s Hidden Coast – Copeland Borough Council, Cumbria (Coastal Communities Fund)

£1.06 million awarded to a project to improve visitor infrastructure, facilities and activities along Cumbria’s ‘hidden’ coast to create new visitor demand and enhance the coastal destination offer.     

Blackpool Museum Project – The AMUSEUM, Blackpool City Council, Lancashire (Coastal Communities Fund)

£1.75 million awarded to deliver the AMUSEUM – Britain’s first museum telling the story of Blackpool and its role in the development of British popular entertainment and the great British seaside holiday.  

SeaGrown – putting Scarborough at the heart of the English Seaweed Industry – SeaGrown Ltd, Scarborough, Yorkshire (Coastal Communities Fund)

£472,000 awarded to establish England’s first commercial seaweed hatchery, cultivation site and outreach centre in Scarborough, driving economic growth by creating sustainable jobs in sectors currently offering few opportunities in the area.    

Seafront Improvement – New Forest District Council, Milford-on-Sea (Coastal Revival Fund)

£50,000 awarded to implement Seafront Improvement (promenade access works) for improved coastal protection and coastal access along a 240m frontage.

Salcombe Jubilee Pier Revival – South Hams District Council, Salcombe (Coastal Revival Fund)

£50,000 awarded to conduct work to prevent further structural deterioration of the pier and to undertake work to promote its historical value to the many people that use it.