Money for old seasides

The Coastal Communities Fund is a new source of grants for the economic regeneration of ailing seaside towns such as Hastings and St Leonards. The minimum size for bids to the fund is £50,000 and voluntary groups, charities and social enterprises are being encouraged to apply for a wide range of potential projects, including small-scale sustainable transport improvements and creating new workspaces to grow the local economy.

The government has just published the initial prospectus for the fund, which will be formally launched in early March. Expressions of interest must be submitted by the end of March and full applications are due in May.

Many local authorities are likely to bid and Councillor Peter Chowney, Lead Member for Regeneration, confirmed to Hastings Online Times that Hastings Borough Council “are likely to be applying for funds for employment and training initiatives linked to the restoration of Hastings Pier”.

He also stressed that competition for the funds will be stiff and regretted that “Unfortunately the council does not currently have spare resources to support groups interested in applying”.

Despite these words of caution, Hastings Online Times hopes that some of the many energetic groups and associations in the town will explore the potential of this fund.

Click here for the initial prospectus.

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