Blackpool Illuminations, Tate St Ives and Scarborough market among projects earmarked for cash

The government has announced £36m of funding to support projects in coastal areas.

This is the biggest round of cash provided by the Coastal Communities Fund to date, and will help to fund schemes in 36 seaside towns. Projects include:

  • Blackpool’s Illuminations, which will receive nearly £2m to help create new light shows
  • Tate St Ives art gallery, which will get £3.8m to help fund an extension
  • Scarborough’s historic market, which will get £2.7m to fund refurbishments and create space for 30 new businesses
  • Saltdean Lido, near Brighton, which will receive £2.3m to restore the Grade II*-listed building
  • Two new visitor centres on the Lincolnshire coast - at Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve and at Chapel St Leonards - which will receive £1.7m
  • The south and north promenades on South Shields Foreshore in Tyneside will get £1.5m to improve the access and public space.

The Coastal Communities Fund is financed by the government through revenues earned from the Crown Estate’s marine activities.

The fund was created in 2012 to invest in seaside towns to help them achieve their economic potential, reduce unemployment and create opportunities for young people.

Today’s announcement brings the total of the Coastal Communities Fund spending to £116m. Across the UK, it is funding 211 projects.

Topics