Exeter’s MP has pledged to work alongside the city council to spend the city’s share of a government handout aimed at bringing boarded-up high streets back to life.
A fund of £125million is being spread across the country to try to bring mothballed and dilapidated buildings in places like Exeter back into use, while another £85million is being made available to help local communities take over neglected pubs, clubs and shops, let out empty units and set up co-operative businesses.
The cash injection comes as the city council adopts its new city centre strategy for the next five years, with the accent on regeneration and improving the experience for people using the area.
Steve Race, Exeter’s Labour MP, said he was delighted at the investment.
He went on: “The Conservatives shamefully allowed too many of our local shopping areas to fall into disrepair during their 14 years in power.
“Now, Labour is acting to turn our town and city centres around by putting power and resources back into the hands of local people.
“I will be keeping a close eye on these funds and, when applications open, I will work with Exeter City Council to identify any buildings that could be transformed to better serve people in our city.”
Derelict high street buildings across England will be transformed into shared workspaces during the project, funded by the £125m Derelict Buildings Fund.
Mr Race said the investment would build on existing schemes like the Pride in Place programme, which will deliver £20 million of support to the Heavitree and Whipton area of Exeter over the next 10 years.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said of the programme: “People don’t measure growth by looking at a spreadsheet. They measure it by looking at their local high street. Are shops opening or are the shutters down? Does the place feel like it’s moving forward or being left behind?
“The truth is that too many high streets have been left to hollow out, leaving town centres a shell of what they once were. That must change.”
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