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DCMS brings a sea change to seaside resorts

DEPARTMENT FOR CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT News Release (034\2008) issued by The Government News Network on 4 April 2008

Blackpool, Dover and Torbay will be the first towns to benefit from up to £4 million each for cultural and heritage projects, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham announced today.

The grants are the first to be made as part of Sea Change, a new funding programme which aims to kick start wider economic regeneration in coastal areas through specific investment in culture and heritage. Sea Change is a three year programme that will give £45 million to coastal resorts, and is being led by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE).

Andy Burnham said:

"Our seaside resorts are much loved and an integral part of English culture. But some of them are looking a bit faded and no longer attract as many visitors as they did.

"Many hold hidden treasures and this money provides a much needed boost to the resorts. This year Blackpool, Torbay and Dover and a dozen other towns will benefit, and by the end of the programme in 2011 the regeneration of many of our coastal resorts will be firmly underway."

By attracting additional funding, Sea Change projects will act as catalysts for further economic regeneration in the towns - bringing in new visitors and revenue, giving the local residents a new cultural heart and a renewed pride in the community. The key criterion in choosing the resorts is that they are areas of social and economic deprivation in need of regeneration.

The three major grants in the first year will be awarded to resorts around the coast. Blackpool, Dover and Torbay were identified by CABE in partnership with the Regional Development Agencies as priority areas for regeneration with projects in development.

In addition, the Sea Change programme includes up to 12 smaller grants of £200,000 to £1,000,000 via an open application programme. Any coastal resort with a cultural project that would be a catalyst for regeneration can apply for this funding. The deadline for applications for 2008 is June.

Margaret Hodge, Culture and Tourism Minister, said:

"Cultural projects can play an enormous role in kick starting regeneration in communities. Not only do they attract new visitors to the area, bringing in money for local businesses, but they also enhance the environment for local residents and give a sense of pride to the community.

"Our objective is to have a spread across all coastal areas. There have been discussions with a number of east coast resorts including Great Yarmouth, who have some exciting proposals which we hope will develop into projects the programme can support."

Local authorities will put forward projects to CABE along with their business and project management plans. The project leaders must find match funding of at least 100 per cent to qualify for funding. The money will be used for work on cultural infrastructure - improving historic public spaces such as high streets, promenades, harbours or gardens; constructing new buildings or converting existing ones for use as cultural centres; enhancing existing galleries, concert halls, dance spaces, theatres and arts centres.

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said:

"English seaside towns have seen some real improvements in recent years. They have worked hard to develop alternative attractions such as conferences, invested in new coastal defences and promenades, and more people are thinking seriously about taking their holidays or weekend breaks in the UK.

"But there is more we can do to help our seaside towns prosper, so I am especially pleased that people in Blackpool, Dover and Torbay are set to benefit from investment of up to £4m each. I think the English seaside is set for a renaissance."

CABE Chair, Sir John Sorrell, commented:

"CABE believes that investment in design and culture can trigger the regeneration that England's much-loved seaside resorts need. We want to see exciting and innovative projects which build on the strong identity these towns enjoy and give them the best opportunity to recapture their original flair. Sea Change will be a catalyst for a brighter future through well-designed buildings, spaces and places."

Notes to editors

* The Sea Change programme will run for three years from 2008 to 2011, giving £15 million each year to seaside resorts. It is lead by CABE working the Regional Development Agencies, English Heritage, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, Arts Council England, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund. It was announced in November 2007. DCMS press notice 147 refers.

* For further details and how to apply for the open application grants please go to http://www.cabe.org.uk/seachange

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