Businesses welcome £25m Skegness Town Deal announced in Budget

Businesses in Skegness have welcomed news the resort is to be offered millions of pounds from the Government’s Towns Fund scheme.
The £25m fund creates more confidence for those starting new businesses in Skegness.The £25m fund creates more confidence for those starting new businesses in Skegness.
The £25m fund creates more confidence for those starting new businesses in Skegness.

Last year Skegness and Mablethorpe joined forces to bid for £50 million, forming the ‘Connected Coast’ board and put forward ambitious projects aimed at creating a more attractive place to live, work and play, and to boost the local economy, leading to more jobs for local people.

The Plans attracted over £30 million of support from local and national organisations and businesses and opens the door for future development across the strategic alliance of East Lindsey District Council and Boston Borough Council.

This opens opportunities with the government and the private sector about future ways to support and revitalise the towns post COVID, providing a huge boost to regeneration and economic recovery.

The terms of the Towns Fund offer will be signed in partnership with the Connected Coast Town Deal Board and East Lindsey District Council to enable the funding to be released before work starts on developing the business cases for each project.

Chair of the Connected Coast board, Sarah-Louise Fairburn, said: “We are incredibly excited to have achieved two Town Deals for the Lincolnshire Coast, and it is down to the hard work of the Towns Fund team and support of the ambitious Connected Coast board.

“To us, this is the start of a transformative journey and the Towns Fund is just the tip of the iceberg. The hard work starts now and we hope this initial success will act as a catalyst for further investment, creation of jobs and growth on the coast, and even more interest from the private sector.

“We know the potential and the great base we have to build on here, so we can’t wait to start this great journey of change. We want people to visit, residents to be proud of their area, and for the future to be secure for business. There’s real passion here and we want to capitalise on that.”

East Lindsey District Council Leader, Councillor Craig Leyland, said: “We are delighted to have secured a Town Deal for both town areas of Skegness and Mablethorpe. Not only will this see the Town Investment Plans come to life, but the focus this brings to the Lincolnshire coast can help us secure more investment in the future.”

Coun Steve Kirk, East Lindsey District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Coastal Economy, added: “Our coast has a very promising future and this funding will be integral to making that a reality and helping to transform an area that has often been overlooked. We will now be able to enhance both areas for the benefit of our local communities and the many millions of visitors we welcome each year.”

Paul Dixon, Chair of Skegness Area Business Chamber, said: "Businesses In Skegness are celebrating the great news that this much-needed investment is coming to town.

"We have been following and supporting this ambitious bid for funds that will revitalise some of the more tired and dated parts of the foreshore.

"Together with private investment that will continue and new investment that will be attracted we are confident that Skegness will be an attractive place to visit for many years to come."

Two new investors in the town are Sallie Turner and Lyz Ghein, who are currently getting their new venture - Olivia's Coffee Shop and Wine Bar - on Roman Bank ready for opening.

They have refurbished the former chemists for the business, which will have two flats above..

"We really welcome the news Skegness has secured the funding - this is going to be a year of staycations so we think it's going to be busy," said Sallie.

"We really looking forward to opening when we are allowed to and are currently putting the finishing touches to the premises.

"Initially we will probably open for takeaway and then fully in May, but we already have more than 1,435 likes on our Facebook page so it is all very positive."

Mayor of Skegness Coun Mark Dannatt said: "This is fantastic news for the east coast I’m extremely happy that Skegness has secured a £24.5 million pound town fund that includes ingoldmells and Chapel St Leonards.

"This is a big achievement for all those involved and to secure 98% of the maximum funding that was available is fantastic news.

"I would like to say a big thank you to them for all their hard work to achieve this.

"Our coast has been underfunded for far too long so we should look forward to the details of the successful projects that will be developed to transform our coast.

"This information should be released in the next few days."

To learn more about the ambitious plans, visit www.connectedcoast.co.uk

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