Improvements can be made to local high streets across Havering 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.
M.P. for Romford Andrew Rosindell said he was delighted Havering is getting £231,058 and looks forward to seeing how the money will be spent to help attract people back to the high streets in his constituency and across the borough 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.
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.
Andrew Rosindell M.P. said:
“It has been an enormously difficult time for high streets across Havering, including in my constituency of Romford. Normally our high streets would be filled with people from across Essex and London, who come to Romford for some of the best and most vibrant shopping and hospitality in the region.
Severe restrictions on business activity have ground this usually relentless economic activity to a halt, however. I’m delighted to see that Havering will receive funding as part of the Welcome Back Fund and will work closely with Government to see what more can be done to help Romford and Havering recover.”
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Robert Jenrick M.P. 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.
