Budget - economy
Levelling up Wyre
Last year our investment plans for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) were approved by government, which means that we will receive £3.9 million over the next three years as part of the government’s Levelling Up agenda.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund will provide a total of £2.6 billion funding and all areas across the UK will receive an allocation of the fund. The overarching aim of the funding is to build pride of place and increase life chances.
In order to secure the funding, we submitted an investment plan proposal to government outlining projects that the funding would be used for. The plan and the priorities it identified were written in consultation with Wyre’s Town Centre Partnership boards and organisations who can deliver county-wide initiatives. It supports strategic business recovery in key economic centres in the borough and includes a range of projects that focus around seven themes, which in turn contribute to the government’s set priorities:
Town centre improvements
- Wyre gives back
- Wyre moving more
- Arts and culture
- Visitor economy
- Wyre backs business
- Wyre net zero
Our first UKSPF project is underway at Cottam Hall Community Garden in Poulton. The project is part of a bigger vision for Cottam Hall including a strategic masterplan which will be commissioned for the whole of the site, in consultation with key users and stakeholders. £12,000 of the UKSPF money awarded is being used to build new raised beds, a polytunnel, accessible pathways, buy new gardening equipment and provide planting for this shared community space. We are working together with Poulton in Bloom volunteers to manage the site and offer this space to other partners and community groups who may want to access the gardens. Plants will be grown within the garden which volunteers can then use to decorate the town with beautiful floral displays.
Investing in Fleetwood Market
Fleetwood Market is undergoing an exciting period of rejuvenation and this year we are carrying out significant improvement works to support its future as a key attraction in Wyre.
As part of our ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions, we have secured grant funding of £1m from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. This is allowing us to carry out energy efficiency works at the market, including the installation of renewable energy technologies and removing fossil fuel gas heating.
We are also investing £1.9m to carry out repairs and reinstate the historic features of the nineteenth century Market Hall. This will greatly improve the appearance of the market and ensure the continued life of the building through the delivery of significant enhancement works including the replacement of the main hall slate roof, windows and doors.
Works will bring the building up to an improved standard, repairing damage and weathering that has occurred over the years and will allow us to futureproof this key attraction. Throughout the works some stalls will be affected however the market will remain open.
Supporting local businesses
We have relaunched Wyred Up, a free business support network specifically for businesses and organisations in Wyre. The network helps businesses to connect across the borough and encourages local businesses to trade with each other, driving the economic growth and prosperity of Wyre.
Business who sign up can gain access to networking events, regular newsletters, training and learning opportunities.
We also hosted the Wyre Business Awards in 2022 after a break due to the pandemic. Nominations for the 2023 awards will open soon, giving businesses the chance to come together to celebrate their passion, expertise and contribution to Wyre’s economic development.
Visitor economy
We have launched a range of activity to boost visitor numbers to Wyre, increasing footfall in our town centres and providing additional custom for high street businesses.
We have hosted a series of free family events, created the new Discover Wyre website to showcase Wyre, places to visit and events and created a series of trails for visitors to follow. Cleveleys now also has its own augmented reality app which brings the characters of the mythic coast to life. Visit Discover Wyre Trails to take part in any of these trails.