Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick has announced this week Bishop Auckland is set to receive £33 million from Government Town’s Fund Scheme.
Announced on Tuesday [08/06/2021], Dehenna Davison MP has said she is delighted at the news that Bishop Auckland is set to receive a £33 million grant to help rejuvenate and revitalise the high-street. The funding comes as a part of the Government’s Towns Fund, of which Bishop Auckland, Hartlepool and Redcar have received a total of £83.2m to level up the local communities, economies and promote further investment.
Responding to the news, Dehenna Davison MP said:
“I am really excited by the news. It was in my election pledges to help rejuvenate highstreets across the constituency, and this is the second major funding pot Bishop Auckland has received for the town centre since my election.
“I worked with the Town Board and Durham County Council to pull together and submit the bid, which will see some big and exciting changes that will benefit Bishop Auckland itself, and the wider area. Since starting work on the bid, I’ve been lobbying the Government non-stop, so I am delighted all the hard work has paid off and there’ll be a brighter future for Bishop.”
As a part of the bid Durham County Council, who worked closely with Davison through the Stronger Towns Fund, have set out a vision for the town to become a world-class heritage visitor destination of UK national importance, a service centre for the whole of South West Durham and a gateway to the Durham Dales.
Durham county councillor Andy Jackson added: “The extra money secured for Bishop’s future success illustrates both Dehenna’s and the government’s commitment to ensuring the long-term realisation of both levelling up and the ongoing prosperity of the town and its people. It is an award that should be welcomed by all.”
The grant comes on top of a £19.9 million award from the Future High Streets Fund in December to support the town’s high street and recovery from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Combined the two grants are set to have a long-lasting positive impact on Bishop Auckland, providing jobs and bringing investment to the North East.