Newark and Sherwood District Council responds to news of Newark's £25million Government funding

Newark has been chosen to receive up to £25million from the government-awarded Towns Fund, it has been announced today (read the full story here).

Newark and Sherwood District Council will now lead a detailed proposal to be drawn up with the local community, businesses and local leaders, to transform the town’s economic growth prospects with a focus on improved transport, broadband connectivity, skills and culture.

The ambition is to ‘re-imagine’ the town, maximise the positives of its independent shops, tourist offer and assets and its historic centre and architecture.

Proposals will be drawn up to address the severe effects of retail decline, vacant shops, anti-social behaviour, service an appropriate night-time economy and provide new residential and family offers to the town.

Council deputy leader and economic development committee chairman, Keith Girling, said: “We will be working on a regeneration programme which will match our vision and ambition to revamp and breathe new life into Newark town centre.

“We are looking forward to shaping our proposals with residents, businesses, shoppers in line with the central government’s new towns fund deal, to re-imagine the town’s future development.”

Newark has been chosen as one of 100 places across the UK to have been invited to develop proposals for a new generation of multi-million-pound Town Deals.

In making the announcement Newark MP and Local Government Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick, said: “Ensuring that prosperity and opportunities are available to everyone in this country, not just those in London or our biggest cities, is at the heart of the mission of this government.

“We want to level-up our great towns, raising living standards and ensuring they can thrive with transformative investment in transport, technology, skills and culture.

“I will now work with local people from the 100 communities announced today to agree proposals to invest up to £25 million in each place. I hope these deals will provide the investment and the impetus for long-term renewal ensuring each town can look to the future with a new optimism.”

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Robert Jenrick tweets video announcing the Towns Fund investment