Hundreds of towns across the country are being offered support that will help them revitalise their high streets, Local Growth Minister Mark Prisk has announced.
Following applications by local MPs, over 300 Town Teams have signed up to become Town Team Partners, and will benefit from a package of support, which includes help from the Government as well as advice and support from leading retail experts.
The Town Teams Partners will receive an immediate boost, with national event to be held in Birmingham by the Association of Town Centre Managers.
Mr Prisk said the extra support would help the teams to strengthen their leadership on the ground, and enable them to try new ideas on their high streets to make them more attractive and competitive.
To mark the announcement the Minister visited Deptford, a successful applicant to become a Town Team Partner. The team have plans to use the creative buzz generated by local artists by installing their art works in the high street and in local shops - from boutiques to the local fishmongers - all under the 'Made in Deptford' banner.
Mr Prisk also saw the Deptford Project, a railway carriage that has been transformed into a café - a great example of how the Town Team Partner plans to transform the look of the high street and showcase local talent.
Local Growth Mark Prisk said: "There's a real hunger in town centres across the country for them to be revitalised and remain attractive places to visit. So I'm delighted that from today over 300 Town Team Partners will begin to receive a package of support that helps them breathe new life into their high streets.
"No one's pretending that there's a silver bullet for improving the performance of our town centres. Yet as I saw in Deptford: with this new support, and the opportunity to learn from each other, Town Teams can channel their energy and enthusiasm into promoting a more exciting and competitive offer on our high-streets, and help them thrive for years to come."
