Jobs Boost For Coastal Towns
There is a big jobs boost for coastal communities in Devon and Cornwall as coastal communities receive millions of pounds from the government.
Twenty seaside projects in England will receive grants of up to £2.6 million each from the Coastal Communities Fund to use on projects that will deliver almost 4,000 jobs, support 250 new business start-ups and create more than 1,500 apprenticeships and 400 volunteering opportunities.
The £16million fund for the projects is raised from the Crown Estate's marine assets and reinvested in coastal areas.
Next year the Coastal Community Fund will increase by £4million to £28million, a 17 per cent increase on this year.
The fund is open to coastal towns across the United Kingdom and is funded by the Exchequer.
The 20 successful main round winners and their fund allocations are:
- Torbay Council, Torbay, Devon - £1,385,656 to support the development of start-up and home based businesses, social enterprises, an apprenticeship scheme, and the creation of major new green tourism infrastructure in Brixham, Paignton and Torquay. The project will create 280 direct and 42 indirect jobs.
- Plymouth City Council, Devon - £670,400 to support the regeneration of Plymouth's Waterfront by providing cycle hire hubs and cycle route improvements to link up existing waterfront areas and contribute to delivery of the city's Visitor Plan. The project will create 4 full time direct and 52 indirect jobs.
- South Hams District Council, Devon £450,347 to improve infrastructure and business support for the local fishing and seafood industry in South Devon. It will create 19 direct and indirect jobs in shellfish farming, supply chains, tourism and apprenticeships.
- Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Trust (Exmoor National Park), Devon - £150,000 to enhance the existing rolling stock by acquiring an additional carriage for use on a narrow gauge steam railway. Additional capacity will allow the Trust to increase visitor numbers and help create 7 full time jobs and 13 indirect jobs together with more volunteering opportunities.
- Cable and Wireless Porthcurno and Collections Trust, Cornwall - £149, 587 to develop the Porthcurno Telegraph Museum to include a Learning Centre, new galleries, visitor centre and café. The project will also support increased volunteering and community participation and create at least 5 full time and 10 part time jobs.
- Wadebridge Renewable Energy Project, Cornwall - £100,000 to sustain and grow renewable energy social enterprise opportunities through renewable energy installation, product development and support for green tourism. The project forms part of plans to make Wadebridge Britain’s first solar powered town and will create 1 direct full time and 19 indirect jobs.
- Porthleven Regeneration Community Interest Company, Cornwall - £99,570 to establish a social enterprise to offer training and skills learning for young people and increase visitor numbers to Porthleven by improved marketing, lighting, parking and regeneration work. The project will create two direct and 20 indirect jobs.
The £24 million Coastal Communities Fund was launched in 2012 to provide coastal towns in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland with money to help pay for projects that can transform and diversify seaside economies.