More than a dozen shopping parades across Ipswich are now eligible for a grant of up to £250,000 towards a revamp or better facilities to boost footfall.
Ipswich Borough Council and partners secured £25 million of government funding, with £2.81 million through the Town Deal fund being available to invest in improvements to the shopping parades across the town.
The funding is provided as part of HM Government's investment plan to level up regions, providing an opportunity for economic growth across the country.
The 13 shopping parades are:
- Cliff Lane
- Ellenbrook Green
- Felixstowe Road (Derby Road junction)
- Garrick Way
- Hawthorn Drive
- Meredith Road
- Nacton Road (Benacre Road junction)
- Penshurst Road
- Queensway
- Selkirk Road
- Ulster Avenue
- Wherstead Road/Austin Street
- Woodbridge Road (Cauldwell Hall Road junction)
These 13 parades have been identified for a first round of funding that should help revamp their appearance, provide better facilities, increase footfall and raise sales revenues.
Independent retail owners are being asked to come forward with their ideas for improvements, with proof of support from other retailers on the parade and local councillors.
It is anticipated that at least £1.5 million will be allocated across these parades in the first round of funding, with a further £1 million being available later in the year.
Around £260,000 will also be available later in 2023 to support community facilities across the town.
Work on the project is being led by a Task Force reporting to the Ipswich Town Deal Board.
Ipswich Borough Council will make decisions on where the money is spent, after taking advice from both the board and the task force.
Azzouz El-Mahraoui, co-owner of Coffee Link and chair of the local shopping parade task force, said: "Improving the local shopping parades in Ipswich is a great and also welcome step towards improving the town, especially in the current economic environment."
Dr Dan Poulter, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich said: "I have been working hard to deliver £25 million of Government funding for Ipswich.
"I have personally been championing the local shopping parades project which has the potential to make a real difference to the lives of people."
Tom Hunt, Ipswich MP, added: "I'm really pleased that the shopping parades project is now becoming a reality.
"Our shopping parades are often at the centre of our communities.
"Often the people who run these businesses are at the beating heart of their communities."
For more information on the project and how to apply for funding, click here.
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