REDDITCH has again missed out on a share of the Government’s multi million pound Future High Streets Fund.
Last month the borough learnt it had failed in its bid to be on the shortlist of 50 towns getting a share of the £675million fund.
Now Redditch has been snubbed again after Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed an additional 50 more towns would benefit from a pot which has now grown to £1billion.
The borough’s ruling Conservative group had made ‘Unlocking Redditch’ a key plank of their plans to improve the town and had been hoping that a grant of up to £25million could be coming their way from the Future High Streets Fund.
Redditch MP Rachel Maclean and Councillor Julian Grubb (Con, Abbey) personally delivered the borough’s bid to Minister for Local Growth Jake Berry MP in April this year.
When that bid failed the Leader of the Borough Council, Councillor Matt Dormer, said: “When Redditch has bucked the national trend for two years running by the people putting their faith in the running of this town in the hands of the Conservatives why can’t a Conservative government see that and why can’t they support us?
“I’m really disappointed, but do you know what, it hasn’t affected our plans, we will press on regardless because we are a very resilient town and we will overcome no matter what is put in front of us.”
Now after this second knock-back Redditch MP Rachel Maclean said: “I have already had discussions with the Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick, about Redditch’s bid and why we have missed the cut.
“He will be providing me and the team in Redditch with detailed feedback on the problems with the bid.
“I’ve also arranged for government officials to work more closely with the officers at Redditch Borough Council and local partners to provide support on accessing government funding more broadly so we can work together to continue to unlock Redditch.”
Nearby towns which will benefit from the Future high Streets Fund include Dudley, Leamington, Nuneaton, Tamworth and Worcester.
