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MP supports high street regeneration project
23/07/2021
Local businesses urged to take advantage of space becoming available through government funded project
Banbury’s MP Victoria Prentis is giving her support to a scheme to breathe life back into our High Streets.
“Meanwhile in Oxfordshire” is a new £1.7m programme which seeks to bring back into use 50 currently vacant high-street buildings. Leases will range from very short-term pop-ups to multi-year arrangements.
The aim is to transform boarded up streets and empty shops into vibrant places for independent retailers and purpose-driven community organisations.
The initiative is possible as part of the Government’s ‘Building Back Better High Streets’ strategy. Makespace Oxford has secured the grant and teamed up with local councils to launch the Meanwhile In Oxfordshire programme.
Mrs Prentis said: “High streets lie at the heart of our communities and inject billions of pounds into our economy. However, growth in e-commerce in recent years has changed the way we use our high streets and led to a decline of traditional retail which has only been exacerbated over the last 16 months.
“We need to think creatively about how we use our high streets going forward. The Government’s strategy aims to set out a vision for the future of our high streets as we build back better from the pandemic. The strategy is based around five key priorities: breathing new life into empty buildings; supporting high street businesses; improving the public realm; creating safe and clean spaces; and celebrating pride in local communities.”
Mrs Prentis is urging local businesses in need of new accommodation to make contact with the project team. She said: “Makespace Oxford have a number of affordable spaces available from August along Market Place and inside Castle Quay shopping centre in Banbury.
“I encourage any local businesses in urgent need of space to get in touch with Makespace and be part of the regeneration of our high streets.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam
Brian Hill On 23/07/2021 at 10:59 am
How much is she being paid, she does not give a toss about Banbury
Rob On 23/07/2021 at 11:33 am
Too little too late again from this good for nothing waste of space!