The UK government is spending £319 million to fix struggling high streets – here’s where the money is going
The UK government has announced £319 million in funding to breathe new life into struggling high streets and create safer play spaces for children in deprived areas.
The funding package targets neighbourhoods long affected by decline, vacant shops, and limited access to community facilities. “People have watched their communities decline for too long, with little say over how they’re run,” said Communities Secretary Steve Reed.
“This government is determined to change that, giving communities the tools, the funding, and the power they need to rebuild. From new playgrounds to reimagined high streets, we’re putting power back in people’s hands.”
The bulk of the investment, £301 million, will support High Streets Innovation Partnerships, enabling local areas to reimagine town centers as modern, mixed-use hubs.
These could incorporate new homes, health services, libraries, community spaces, and green areas, while encouraging local business participation.
The government plans a “summer of activities” to drive footfall, potentially aligning with major events like the World Cup. Specific allocations to towns and projects will be confirmed in due course.
A separate £18 million strand focuses on upgrading or building playgrounds in 66 deprived communities facing high child poverty and poor play provision.
Funding will flow directly to these areas, no bidding required,with an emphasis on using British materials. The selected locations span England, from northern industrial towns to southern coastal areas, including:
- Sandwell, Walsall, Dudley
- Salford, Tameside, Wolverhampton
- Bolton, Oldham, Wirral
- Rotherham, South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees
- Blackpool, Manchester, Preston
- Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool
- Thanet, Tendring, East Lindsey
- And many others, such as Knowsley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Medway, Bradford, Doncaster, Barnsley, and Torbay.
An additional £20 million over 10 years will accelerate regeneration in initial Pride in Place areas based on community priorities.
The announcement also highlights innovative public spending pilots in five areas. This will incluee testing pooled budgets across councils, the NHS, and schools to address challenges like special educational needs in Liverpool, youth offending in the North East, teen mental health in the Black Country, multiple disadvantage in Doncaster, and youth employment in West Yorkshire. Successful approaches could scale nationally, the government said.
Examples of potential high street transformations include:
- Canvey Island: stronger town center with health services, youth activities, and jobs.
- Dewsbury: enhanced enforcement against crime.
- Dudley: greater community engagement.
- Eastbourne: repurposing empty buildings and linking town center to seafront.
- Torquay: street and skills improvements.
- Wrexham: youth zones and safer spaces.
