Regeneration for coastal
resorts continues with £12 million in next wave of sea change grants
DEPARTMENT FOR
CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT News Release (007/09) issued by COI News
Distribution Service. 20 January 2009
Coastal towns
across four different English regions are to benefit from £12
million from the Government's Sea Change programme.
Southport, Great Yarmouth, Bridlington and Hastings are the latest
towns to receive grants from the scheme which aims to boost
regeneration in coastal areas through investment in culture and heritage.
Announced today by Culture and Tourism Minister Barbara Follett,
this wave of Sea Change grants will fund projects to improve
theatres, create new performance spaces and safeguard heritage
within the seaside towns. The programme, led by the Commission for
Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), will give a total
of £45 million over three years to coastal resorts. Blackpool,
Torbay and Dover were the first towns to receive large grants last year.
Barbara Follett, Culture and Tourism Minister, said:
"In these difficult economic times it is more important than
ever before to make sure we continue to invest in the regeneration
and renewal of our seaside resorts. The projects in these four
towns will help to attract new visitors and business opportunities
in the whole area as well as giving people pride in their
community and protecting their heritage.
"With more people than ever before thinking about holidaying
at home, the funding provided by the Sea Change programme will
help to ensure that their experiences are memorable for the right
reasons and inspire them to return and keep the great tradition of
British seaside holidays alive."
Southport will receive £4 million for a project to link the Grade
2 listed Arts Centre, library and art gallery in the heart of the
town centre. The funding will lead to a range of improvements
including a theatre, museum and popular music venue. The work will
protect the heritage around Lord Street as well as offering
visitors better attractions and events.
The promenade surrounding the recently refurbished Royal Hall and
Spa Theatre complex in Bridlington will be re-designed following
the award of £3 million from the Sea Change programme. The project
will also enable the Pembroke Gardens to be used as an outdoor
performance space as well as improving public access.
Great Yarmouth will receive £3 million to regenerate the historic
Deneside area of the town. Central to the project is the
development of a Grade 1 listed chapel into a new arts centre
which it's hoped in time will act as a hub for the community.
Historic buildings in King Street will also be repaired, and the
work will allow St George's Plain to be used as an outdoor
public space.
And Hastings will receive a £2 million boost to provide an artist
designed piazza, performance space and cultural community centre,
enhancing the new Jerwood Gallery to be built on the seafront area
of the Old Town.
CABE Chief Executive Richard Simmons, commenting on behalf of the
Sea Change partnership said:
"There is clearly a huge appetite for areas to use culture
and good design as a starting point for regeneration. Very strong
applications were received from some of the country's most
deprived areas and this is exactly where we want the money to go.
"Every single one of these projects will be of enormous
benefit to the resort- both through improving people's
quality of life and boosting the local economy."
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said:
"It is vital that we continue to invest our seaside towns
and regenerate the soul of our most-loved British holiday
destinations so they can take advantage of the economic upturn,
when it comes, and pack their promenades once again.
"So I am delighted that Southport, Bridlington, Great
Yarmouth and Hastings will put their share of £12 million of Sea
Change funding to great use, providing fantastic new facilities
for local residents and tourists alike."
Notes for editors
1. The Sea Change programme runs for three years from 2008 to
2011, giving £15 million each year to seaside resorts. It is led
by CABE working with 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
which refers to this can be found at http://www.culture.gov.uk
2. For further details and how to apply for the open application
grants please visit the CABE website. http://www.cabe.org.uk The
deadline for year two applications has now passed. Decisions on
those projects which will receive funding will be taken later this year.
3. The local authorities representing the four areas had to
submit their business and project management plans to CABE along
with proof they were able to match funding of at least 100 per cent.
4. For further information about the specific plans and or photos
and images please contact the relevant local authority; Southport
(Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council), Bridlington (East Riding of
Yorkshire Council), Great Yarmouth (Great Yarmouth Borough
Council), Hastings (Hastings Borough Council).
Public enquiries: 020 7211 6020
http://www.culture.gov.uk
2-4 Cockspur Street
London SW1Y 5DH
http://www.culture.gov.uk