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Dorset Community receives financial aid from Government Fund
Broadstone businesses and community have received a welcome boost following a successful bid for a Government Fund.
Innovative plans developed by the local Chamber of Trade and Residents Association, supported by local MP Annette Brooke (Lib Dem), have been awarded £10,000 along with additional business support as part of Government plans to revitalise Britain’s High Streets.
Broadstone was one of a number of towns and suburbs that made a bid for up to £100,000 earlier this year from the ‘Mary Portas Fund.’ Like the majority of applicants the earlier bid was unsuccessful. This has been recognised by Government which has released new funding for ‘Town Team Partners; to promote shared learning and best practice with the help retail experts and other Town Teams throughout the country.
Broadstone was one of 326 applicants for the new funding and has been enabled through the specific support of Annette Brooke MP who said of the news; “I do congratulate Broadstone Chamber of Trade for submitting such a high quality bid and securing funding and support to make Broadstone Centre an even better place. As a Broadstone resident for 35 years as well as being the local MP, I am proud that we are now a participant in this national initiative along with main town centres.”
The funding will allow some of the original proposals from the Portas bid to be taken forward, including initiatives that will help sustain and improve the local community. Ideas being implemented include;
A new website promoting local retail, service and leisure outlets in Broadstone – a ‘Virtual High Street’
Improved welcome and direction signage
A collection point for goods ordered on the Internet
Surveying local people to match experience with expectation
Better engagement with Landlords
A programme of themed events throughout the year
The Chamber of Trade will become the ‘Town Team’ and, working with other associations, and in consultation with the community, will be working to make Broadstone an even more attractive destination for locals and visitors.
Simon Merry, the newly elected Chair of the Chamber says “We did some initial surveying with the Residents Association earlier in the year and it is great that we now have some money to start working on fulfilling local expectations This is a fantastic opportunity to reinforce Broadstone’s place on the map locally – Broadstone is a great place to live, work and shop and these funds will help us to promote the area and maintain a thriving community.”
by admin