• Southend Borough Council will receive £228,096 to help local high streets reopen and attract shoppers and tourists.
• Conservative Government investing a total of £56 million through the Welcome Back Fund to help councils prepare for the end of lockdown when it is safe to do so.
• This is part of a wider package of measures to revitalise high streets and level up communities – including steps to make it easier for eateries to serve customers outdoors and set up market stalls this Summer.

Improvements can be made to local high streets across Southend to help them safely and successfully open after lockdown thanks to Government funding.

A total of £56 million will be invested through the new Welcome Back Fund to help councils across England boost tourism, improve green spaces and provide more outdoor seating areas, markets and food stall pop-ups – giving people more, safer options to reunite with friends and relatives this Summer.

MP for Southend West, Sir David Amess, said he was delighted Southend is getting £228,096 and looks forward to seeing how the money will be spent to help attract people back to the high streets post-lockdown.

Councils can use the funding to hold street markets and festivals, boost the look and feel of their high streets, with more seating areas and street planting or less graffiti, and install new signage to help keep people safe as restrictions are lifted.

Additional funding has been made available to support coastal areas, so coastal resorts across England can safely welcome holiday makers in the coming months.

This is part of a package announced by the Conservative Government to attract people back to high streets safely this Summer, including:

• Making it easier for hospitality businesses to operate as takeaways and host markets and stalls.
• Enabling businesses like pubs and restaurants to use their land more flexibly, for example by setting up a marquee or creating new outside space, for the whole summer, so they can serve more customers and recover from the effects of the pandemic.
• Extending pavement licenses for another 12 months, so venues can continue serving customers ‘al fresco’ for longer without red tape.
• Tackling Cowboy private parking firms whose rogue practices can keep visitors away from town.

Commenting, Sir David said:

“I know how difficult it has been for businesses on our high streets over the last year, and I am determined to secure them all the help they need to recover.

“That is why I am delighted that our area will receive £228,096 as part of the Conservative Government’s new Welcome Back Fund, which will help our high streets to reopen safely and successfully this Summer as restrictions lift.

“This will ensure that our high streets have the support they need as we move into recovery, and build back better from the pandemic.”

Commenting, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said:

“As we move to the next stage on the roadmap out of lockdown we are all looking forward to being reunited with friends and family outdoors and making a safe and happy return to our favourite shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants.

“Our Welcome Back Fund gives every city, town and high street support to prepare for a great summer. This funding will help councils and businesses to welcome shoppers, diners and tourists back safely.

“As soon as the roadmap allows, we need to get behind our local businesses and enjoy all that this country has to offer and that we’ve been missing so much.

“I’m allowing every pub in the country to erect a marquee in their garden for the whole summer as a one-off power to support our locals.”