Tenbury to get £10,000 cash injection from Mary Portas pilot to boost retail economy (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Tenbury to get £10,000 cash injection to boost retail economy

8:00am Thursday 1st November 2012 in Tenbury Wells

A NEW look for Tenbury shop fronts is one of the ideas for spending a £10,000 windfall that has come to the town.

The money has been allocated to Tenbury from a Mary Portas pilot pot set up by the Government.

It is an initiative that is designed to help struggling high streets throughout the country.

Tenbury had applied for a £100,000 award but was unsuccessful earlier in the year.

However, it is one of a number of towns to have received a smaller allocation to help boost the local retail economy.

Tenbury Partnership, made up of the Town Council, Chamber of Trade and other bodies, made the bid and now they have to decide how it should be spent.

“No decision has been made but we have many ideas,” said Brian Roberts, of Tenbury Chamber of Trade, who chairs the Tenbury Partnership.

“Personally I would like to see it used to improve the shop fronts in the town but this is just a personal opinion.

“In one way it is a lot of money but in another it is not, so we will give it a lot of thought.”

It is not known when the money will be received.

Phil Grove, who represents Tenbury on Malvern Hills District Council and holds an economic development portfolio has welcomed the funding.

“We are absolutely delighted that the hard work and commitment shown by the town teams in Tenbury Wells has been rewarded with this recognition,”

he said.

“Malvern Hills District Council is actively involved working to deliver improvements and support to make our town centres vibrant and viable places for residents, businesses and visitors.

“I understand Tenbury is considering using the money to support additional events and activities to help attract the public and increase footfall.”