Grimsby and Scunthorpe to receive £1 million government cash to 'brighten up' town's high streets

Grimsby and Scunthorpe have been selected as two of only 10 areas to receive £500,000 each to revive the town's high streets and entice residents back to the shops.

As part of the government's Levelling Up fund, a total of £1 million is set to breathe new life and greenery onto northern Lincolnshire's high streets.

In Grimsby, a planted landscape in the form of pillars of flowers and plants will be added to the existing paving on Victoria Street, while a "green corridor" will be added to Scunthorpe's high street, and the existing street furniture removed and replaced.

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Elaborating on the plans, a spokesperson for the Levelling Up Fund said: "In Grimsby, a rich, abundantly planted landscape will be added to the existing paved channel of the high street – centred on Victoria Street.

"This will improve the look and feel of the street, encouraging residents and visitors to spend more quality time in the town centre and inspiring new businesses to take up empty shops. Living pillars of flowers and plants will be added and planting around street furniture will soften the landscape to create a more welcoming environment.

"Scunthorpe’s high street funding will help the town become a more vibrant place that enhances the quality of life for its residents. A green corridor will be added along the high street, with run-down street furniture removed and replaced with new naturistic spaces and social pockets that guide people to enjoy their newly planted surroundings.

"New seating and plants will also be added to prime shopping areas. These green space changes will foster a strong sense of community, pride and identity among residents."

Businesswoman and Chair of Grimsby Town Centre’s High Street Accelerator Partnership, Liz Parry, said: “I speak on behalf of the whole partnership in expressing our thanks for this financial award.

“Within the partnership and in the wider business and voluntary community of Grimsby Town Centre, there is a determination to work with North East Lincolnshire Council and others to make a real difference to the environment around us.

“Particular mention must go to the town’s 2025 Group, which has a main purpose of uniting the town centre community to effect positive change. Hoping for success, we had already started to look forward to what we could do – and we can assure you that the money will be used to brighten up our high street. We will bring colour into the lives of those who work there and who visit.”

Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We have worked closely with the Scunthorpe MP Holly Mumby-Croft to secure this extra money for Scunthorpe Town Centre. A new future is already being developed in Scunthorpe and this half a million pounds will be used to make the area more green, vibrant and appealing.

“This latest investment comes on top of the millions of pounds the Government has already spent in Scunthorpe with huge amounts more of Government cash being used to reshape the town.

“The majority of the existing projects are bigger, longer-term projects but this cash will give us an opportunity to make a big impact in a short space of time.”

The Minister for Levelling Up, Jacob Young, added: “High streets are the beating heart of our communities and we’re determined to keep them alive and flourishing through our levelling up support.

“Coupled with the new powers we’re giving to councils to rent out persistently empty spaces, our High Street Accelerators programme will make our towns more welcoming and pleasant places for people to enjoy.”

The £1 million funding comes from the government’s High Street Accelerators pilot programme launched in December last year, which is backed by up to £7 million of funding.