Wellington and Oakengates high streets in running for share of £675 million fund

Wellington and Oakengates have been submitted by Telford & Wrekin Council to the government's Future High Street Fund.

Based on its population, the borough can only submit two expression of interest bids for high streets in the first round by March 22.

Madeley and Dawley are next in line for submission when a second bidding round opens, expected in 2020.

The government is also due to launch a £55 million fund to support regeneration of Heritage High Streets, where the council will look at submitting Ironbridge and Newport.

The council's cabinet will be asked to back submitting expressions of interest bids for Wellington and Oakengates when it meets next week.

As part of the Future High Street Fund, bidding high streets must face significant challenges and any successful schemes must make a 'transformational change' to the area and support extensive economic and social activity. Bids cannot focus on just improving an area's appearance.

Councillor Lee Carter, cabinet member for town regeneration, said: "This fund has very strict criteria which we must meet to have any chance of success and we expect bidding to be fiercely competitive.

Criteria

"We feel that Wellington and Oakengates are the high streets that best meet those criteria. Both face some very real challenges and also have many of the other key requirements such as strong rail and public transport links.

"Wellington has a broad range of businesses and social events. There's a growing cultural offer and new initiatives such as the Orbit Arts and Community Centre, supported by the Telford 50 Legacy Fund and due to open this spring, will really add to this.

"There's strong partnership working and a focus on engaging young people in the High Street which has been recognised nationally.

"Oakengates has the opportunity to build on its strong rail links, its theatre, create a stronger centre with a mix of retail and residential and to develop a broader leisure offer through regeneration that could attract many more people. Again our Telford 50 Legacy Fund is already helping to develop a different offer through its work with The Wakes, while our Pride in Your High Streets fund has supported new retailers including Cafe Aroma and Gems.

"Any second bidding phase would focus on Dawley and Madeley while Ironbridge and Newport would be best places as part of bids to separate Heritage High Streets fund."

Since 2015, the council has invested £2.5 million in its Pride in our High Streets scheme targetting key high streets across the borough.