I am delighted that East Lindsey is set to receive £226,238 of Government funding as part of the new Welcome Back Fund. This investment will help our market towns reopen, support our coastal communities and safely welcome shoppers and holiday makers in the coming months.
The investment forms part of the Government’s ‘Welcome Back Fund’, totalling £56 million to help councils across England boost tourism, improve green spaces and provide more outdoor seating areas, markets and food stall pop-ups – giving people a range of safer options to reunite with friends and relatives this summer.
Our area will further benefit from additional hands-on support through the new High Streets Taskforce, a group of elite high streets experts who will visit the area to provide advice on how to make ensure our high streets continue to thrive in the years ahead.
The announcement forms part of a package announced by the Government to attract people back to high streets safely this summer. These initiatives include enabling businesses like pubs and restaurants to use their land more flexibly, for example by setting up a marquee, for the whole summer.
Pavement licenses are also being extended for another 12 months, so venues can continue serving customers ‘al fresco’ for longer periods without red tape.
We are lucky to have a wealth of fantastic independent shops, businesses and hospitality venues in our area. As we begin to ease restrictions cautiously over the coming months it is vital that we support them and back local.