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Rundown resorts set for windfall

Written by News Desk

Wednesday, 19 December 2007

Rundown coastal resorts in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex could be the recipients of major government funding following a £45 million pledge from Culture Secretary, James Purnell. The investment will target disadvantaged coastal resorts around England and is intended to stimulate wider improvements and economic benefits in the area. The programme, which will see £15 million invested in heritage and culture each year from 2008 to 2011, will be led by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) and will be responsible for identifying projects – such as historic high streets and public spaces, galleries or concert halls – where investment in the cultural and heritage infrastructure will help bring life back to run-down seaside resort. CABE will also seek additional financial support for successful projects from both public and private sector investors, further stimulating improvements to the local environment and economy. The Big Lottery Fund, which already invests millions in seaside towns, will be an important partner. Purnell said: “This £45 million fund will be targeted where it can make a real difference, investing in projects with distinct cultural or heritage merit in seaside resorts blighted by deprivation. And some of our finest, historical coastal resorts will be given a new lease of life.” Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears, added: “We need to ensure that our coastal resorts share in rising national prosperity which is why we have established a cross-Government programme looking at what more can be done to ensure that every coastal area benefits.” Money will be made available to projects of different sizes for a small number of major schemes and smaller projects. EEDA will help identify areas in particular need of investment, though it is yet to identify specific targets in the region for investment. Local firms’ skills alliance Group Lotus plc, the National Skills Academy for Manufacturing, City College Norwich and the Learning and Skills Council’s Train to Gain service have joined forces to provide a Level 2 NVQ training course in Business Improvement Techniques (B-IT). Seventeen Lotus employees have become the first of 300 at the internationally renowned company to be awarded the prestigious industry-recognised qualification, which has been tailored to meet the needs of a large manufacturing business. The way the course at Lotus has been developed is seen as a pioneering step for the manufacturing industry and is the first such accredited course in the county of Norfolk to have been run internally. The course is unique as the training is delivered by Lotus staff who themselves are fully qualified to deliver the course to the National Skills Academy for Manufacturing recognised standards.

 

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