Towns to benefit from cash boost (From Crewe Guardian)

Towns to benefit from cash boost

7:00am Saturday 27th October 2012 in News By Matthew Taylor

TOWN centres in Crewe, Sandbach and Alsager will be given a £10,000 boost to help revitalise their high streets.

Local Growth Minister, Mark Prisk, announced the packages this week, which will allow town centre mangers to access expert guidance from retail gurus.

Each of the three Town Team Partners were able to apply for a share in £1.5 million of Government money handed out under the Portas’ Pilot regeneration scheme earlier this year, spearhead by TV high street guru, Mary Portas.

MPs Edward Timpson and Fiona Bruce helped co-ordinate the successful bids. Macclesfield will also benefit.

The news comes as reports show the UK economy grew by one per cent this summer.

Clr Jamie Macrae, cabinet member in charge of prosperity and economic regeneration, said: “This is very positive news for these four towns and I am confident that their respective town teams will take advantage of this as they look to increase footfall and cement their reputations as vibrant town centres.”

Each town is now drawing up proposals for how the money can be spent and for how action plans can be put into place.

Cheshire East’s All Change for Crewe team hopes to achieve better Wi-Fi coverage in the town centre.