TODAY (27 Sept 19) will see the official launch of the £1.95m Humber High Street Challenge Fund grant scheme.
Grants will be available under the scheme to encourage private sector landlords and property owners to undertake building and conversion projects that will improve high streets, diversifying the traditional retail offer and bringing unused floor space back into use.
Funding for the Humber High Street Challenge scheme was allocated by the Humber LEP from the Government’s Local Growth Fund as part of their commitment to the Northern Powerhouse.
In North East Lincolnshire, grant money has been allocated to the Kasbah Conservation Area of Grimsby Dock. With a total pot of £176,000 available locally, successful organisations will be awarded up to 50 per cent of a total project cost.
This latest announcement represents a further boost to the regeneration of this area, which is England’s last surviving example of industrial-scale fishing. It comes just weeks after the official launch of the £1-million Historic England and North East Lincolnshire Council-funded scheme.
That scheme, called PSiCA (Partnership Schemes in Conservation Areas), will see successful applicants receiving grants for up to £150,000 for 70 per cent of the total costs of renovation, improvement or expansion works on existing or vacant premises in the Kasbah Conservation Area. This is supported by North East Lincolnshire Council’s Regeneration partners ENGIE and landowners ABP – the latter will be offering five-year rental holidays for the businesses involved.
Welcoming yet another positive move in the Kasbah’s rebirth, Cllr John Fenty, deputy leader and NELC’s regeneration lead, said: “Along with our partners, we are confident of a new future for the Kasbah which will preserve its historic and unique features while opening up new opportunity for enterprise and innovation in the area and within the wider community. This further funding is great news.”
While the Kasbah is the primary focus for the Humber High Street Challenge in North East Lincolnshire, there is a possibility to look at secondary areas for both Grimsby and Cleethorpes if surplus grant-monies become available. Visit www.investnel.co.uk/kasbah to find out more.
The Humber High Street Challenge Fund will also deliver investment in the following high street and town centre areas in the Humber region:
Hull: Whitefriargate (Hull Old Town)
East Riding of Yorkshire: Clock Tower area of Goole
North Lincolnshire: Scunthorpe town centre
The targeted investment will deliver early improvement works in advance of larger scale investments sought from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund and could see the creation of over 270 jobs, with over 6,500 sqm of commercial floor space brought back into use across the Humber region.
Further information on the scheme is available on the project website: www.hull.gov.uk/HHSCF.
Lord Chris Haskins, Chair of the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “I am delighted the Humber High Street Challenge Fund has been officially launched, we believe it can make a real difference to the region’s high streets.
“Measures such as diversification and repurposing of traditional retail spaces, including converting buildings for new uses, have the potential to breathe new life into our town and city centres, helping the Humber remain an attractive place to live and work.
“I am delighted that the Humber’s Local Growth Fund allocation, which we have secured from Government, is supporting the regeneration of the region’s high streets and can have a positive impact for our residents, businesses and visitors alike.”
Simon Bird, Director of ABP Humber, says: “This is more great news for the Kasbah area at the port of Grimsby. We are excited to be working with local businesses and organisations to help make Grimsby even more great. The importance of keeping the heritage of the area, whilst regenerating it will ensure the attraction of businesses.”