Today funding announced by the Labour Government to Thanet and Hastings Councils to help support local shopping streets hardest hit by the recession has been welcomed by local Labour MPs Michael Foster - Hastings & Rye and Steve Ladyman - South Thanet.

Thanet and Hastings Councils have been given £52,632 each to help shopping areas most affected by the recession.

Communities Secretary John Denham gave the green light to the funding which supports “Real Help Now” for communities. It gives a helping hand for councils to liven up their high streets and town centres such as re-opening boarded up shops for other uses including a meeting centre or as a space for local artists. The money can also support a street market or festival boosting local shopping.

Steve Ladyman, Labour MP for South Thanet said:

“This is good news from the Labour Government. It’s putting money into places that need it most and is a helping hand for our high streets.”

“Boarded-up shops can undermine business confidence but opening them up for other uses makes sense and thriving business can sometimes spring from these opportunities.

“This is another part of the package that the Labour Government is providing to communities and to businesses. This is the opposite of Tories who want to cut back investment and slash funding. That would repeat the mistakes of the 80s and 90s which cut communities adrift and left them to pick up the pieces.”

Michael Foster, Labour MP for Hastings and Rye said:

“I am determined to keep our town centre vibrant and attractive to shoppers and visitors. Firstly that means keeping local shops open and trading with the help of Government measures such as the town centre first planning rules and business rate deferments.
 
“But if the worst happens and an outlet closes we must be willing to think creatively. That might mean new community advice centres, new spaces for arts and crafts, new premises for small start-up businesses, community cafes, and spaces for social enterprises and the voluntary sector. Empty shops are a real no no.”

John Denham MP, Communities Minister said:

“We know that the downturn has really hurt high streets. There is no need to see unused shops on our high streets going to waste, especially when we know that it doesn’t take a lot to turn a vacant shop into something beneficial for the community.

“These grants will help to transform and re-open empty shops as part of our real help to keep town centres vibrant and combat the recession.”