Businesses, charities and community groups across Greater Manchester will soon be able to apply for a share of a new £20m fund aimed at improving local high streets.
Mayor Bev Craig announced the Good Growth High Streets Fund during a visit to Middleton town centre, saying she wanted people to feel the benefits of Greater Manchester’s economic growth in the places where they live.
The fund is expected to open for applications later this year, although details of how much individual projects will be able to bid for have not yet been announced.
The mayor’s office says the scheme could support a range of ideas to help town and district centres attract more visitors, including bringing empty shops back into use and supporting community events.
Craig said many residents were concerned by the decline of some high streets, pointing to boarded-up shops, derelict buildings and the loss of independent businesses.
“Our high streets are the beating hearts of our communities, and people want to feel pride about where they live,” she said.
Announcing the fund, she added: “Our new £20 million Good Growth High Streets Fund is all about restoring pride in a vibrant high street, backing our neighbourhoods and spreading the rewards of good economic growth everywhere.”