Hartlepool to get Government boost from £1billion 'High Street Task Force' aimed at rejuvenating town centre

Hartlepool has been named as a pilot area to get help from a new Government task force helping regenerate UK town centres.
By Ross Robertson
Published 30th Dec 2019, 15:56 BST
Updated 31st Dec 2019, 11:28 BST
The Church Street and Church Square area in Hartlepool, which has already been benefiting from improvement work.The Church Street and Church Square area in Hartlepool, which has already been benefiting from improvement work.
The Church Street and Church Square area in Hartlepool, which has already been benefiting from improvement work.

The town is among 14 of 20 pilot areas to receive “tailored expert support” and funding, according to the Government.

Communities Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick said: “This government is investing £3.6billion in our great towns, including £1billion to help our high streets to adapt and evolve while remaining vibrant and safe places at the heart of our communities.

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“Having announced the first 101 high streets that can benefit from £25million each back in the summer, I am announcing support from our new High Streets Task Force for a further 20 places and naming 14 of these today.

“The Task Force will provide the tools they need to get the best advice possible and a dashboard of key local data.”

Mr Jenrick said “levelling up” towns and regions is central to the mission of the new Government is, “ensuring prosperity and opportunity are available to everyone”

He added: “Over the course of 2020, we will invest hundreds of millions into projects to transform our town centres and support bespoke plans to meet the needs of individual local communities.”

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Minister for the Northern Powerhouse Rt Hon Jake Berry said: “Every place has its own unique strengths and challenges but all our town centres and high streets have one thing in common – they are the lifeblood of communities.

“The tailored support from our new High Streets Task Force and up to £25million each from the Towns Fund for 100 places gives communities the money and support they need to unleash the potential of their towns.

“This people’s government is backing people across the Northern Powerhouse.”

The High Streets Task Force

The High Streets Task Force was announced by the government in response to recommendations of an expert panel on the high street chaired by Sir John Timpson.

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Ministers say it will give high streets and town centres advice, training and information to adapt and thrive, piloting a range of products and services with 20 places before rolling out across the country in 2020.

The Task Force, run by the Institute for Place Management on behalf of government, is holding an open recruitment for a Board Chair to provide expert leadership to this programme.

The Task Force brings together a range of expert groups on reinventing and restructuring places, including the Royal Town Planning Institute and The Design Council.

Today the government is also announcing an extra £1million dedicated to providing further support to the 101 high streets announced over summer in planning for the

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£25million of funding that is available to them, ensuring the vibrance of these high streets for years to come.

The first fourteen places that will take part in the pilot are:

Hartlepool - Hartlepool Town Centre

Salford - Swinton Town centre

Croydon - Thornton Heath

Staffordshire Moorlands - Cheadle

Rushmoor - Aldershot Town Centre

Birmingham - Stirchley

Hyndburn – Accrington Town Centre

South Lakeland - Kendal

Preston - Friargate

Coventry - Coventry City Centre

Cheshire West and Chester - Ellesmere Port Town Centre

Sandwell - West Bromwich Town Centre

Knowsley - Huyton Town Centre

Manchester - Withington District Centre

Related topics:HartlepoolRobert JenrickGovernmentHigh Street Task Force