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Jun
Mayor’s £10 million High Street fund: Where will the money be going?
On Tuesday, David Skaith, mayor of York and North Yorkshire, made good on a promise he centred his election campaign around.
A total of 18 projects were picked to be the first recipients of a £10 million high street fund.
The Labour mayor promised that the scheme, which spans four years, will help to “boost the resilience” of local high streets.
However, the first tranche of funding appeared to focus on representative organisations rather than individual businesses and there were no details on how much each project will be getting.
So, who will the fund benefit?
£10 million fund
As early as April 2024, before he was elected, Mr Skaith was talking about his idea to help get local businesses back on their feet.
In an interview with the Stray Ferret on the campaign trail, the 38-year-old businessman muted the idea of a fund to help firms strategically and financially.
On Tuesday, 18 projects were picked to progress schemes to help revitalise the county’s high streets.
In the Harrogate district, four were chosen:
- Data intelligence hub, Harrogate BID (joint application with York BID)
- Vacant shops academy audit, Harrogate BID
- Sustainable market towns, Totally Locally
- Peculiar Masham, Mashamshire Community Office
But, while the announcement on Tuesday promised that the projects would help to “benefit communities”, there was scant detail on how this would be achieved.
A spokesperson for Harrogate Business Improvement District, which was successful in two applications to the fund, told the Stray Ferret that it was unable to comment as it was “waiting on further details from the combined authority in relation to our applications”.
Meanwhile, the Stray Ferret asked the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority for details on how much each scheme was allocated.
A spokesperson for the authority said it was not in a position to release the information as some of the awards were still subject to “contracting with the recipients”.
However, they added that they hoped to release the funding awards next week.
Derek Hufton, Boroughbridge Chamber of Trade.
Many of the awards were geared towards overarching organisations, such as Business Improvement Districts, town councils and tourist associations.
Some of the schemes awarded funding also appear to be strategic initiatives, such as data intelligence, marketing strategies and a “recycling partnership”.
Derek Hufton, president of the Boroughbridge and District Chamber of Trade, told the Stray Ferret that many of the schemes awarded funding were “already in the formative stages”.
Boroughbridge is one of the areas in the Harrogate district which missed out on funding. However, Mr Hufton said it was too early for the area to bid for funding.
He said:
Phase one came a bit too soon for Boroughbridge.
I think most on the bids received were projects that were already in the formative stages or from locations with significantly more resource that is available to us, so it was easier for some to respond to the tight timescales for submissions. Apparently 42 applications were submitted with only 18 gaining approval, so it is clear that proposals have to be meaningful and relevant to gain approval.
The chamber of trade represents 50 businesses in the town and Mr Hufton believes it will be in a good position to bid for funding at a later date.
He added that the chamber was awaiting details on the second round of funding. He said:
We are awaiting the opening of phase two of the scheme where we expect to make one or more submissions and we are in discussion with other local bodies who may be interested. As yet we are not aware of the specific opening date, which will be sometime in summer this year. Also, the size of the phase two funding pot has not yet been announced.
We do look on the fund as a very positive development for town centres. We are very fortunate in Boroughbridge to have a thriving town centre with a vibrant business community, but there is always more that can be done.
‘High streets aren't dying’
For Mr Skaith the applicants represent a chance to “increase footfall and build stronger communities”.
He said:
High streets aren’t dying; they are just changing. I want to support these changes that are led by, and for the benefit of our communities.
The fantastic applications received in phase one of my Vibrant and Sustainable High Street Fund showcased fresh ideas to increase footfall and build stronger communities through events and improved spaces.
Funding for the projects has been allocated from the mayoral investment fund, which is worth £540 million over 30 years.
The high street fund spans four years. A second round of funding will be opened this year.
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