£13m bid to help revitalise St Annes town centre and sea front

A bid of more than £13 million has been submitted by Fylde Council to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund that if successful will help kick-start the regeneration of St Anne’s Town Centre.
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The £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund has been established to invest in projects focused on town centre and high street regeneration, local transport, cultural and heritage schemes.

Fylde says the proposals in its bid are designed to transform the key corridor through the town from the rail station to the promenade, “integrating the town centre and seafront and providing a linked, high-quality experience for residents and visitors alike”.

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The project forms a key element of the St Annes Masterplan, which has been prepared by experts in seaside town regeneration.

St Annes town centreSt Annes town centre
St Annes town centre
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St Annes regeneration masterplan moving towards final stages

The council says the Masterplan aims to place St Annes at the heart of strategic development within the borough, recognising the investment in key infrastructure features such as the £27m M55 link road and the construction of the new £12m St Annes seawall at The Island site. The Masterplan is available to view at www.fylde.gov.uk/stannesregen

It adds that the bid shows strong alignment with the themes and ‘missions’ in the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper, particularly in relation to transport infrastructure, health, wellbeing, and pride in place.

The project will deliver: an active travel link for cyclists and pedestrians, from the station to the seafront; improved public realm to encourage investment in the town, including the Station Gateway, the town centre and The Square, tthe ‘pier link’ at St Anne’s Road West, the Promenade Gardens, a new flexible events space at the heart of the town centre and improved wayfinding, lighting and signage throughout the town.

Fylde Council leader Coun Karen BuckleyFylde Council leader Coun Karen Buckley
Fylde Council leader Coun Karen Buckley
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The bid has been prepared in consultation with key partners including Lancashire County Council, St Annes Enterprise Partnership, Mark Menzies MP and residents and business community of St Annes.

Coun Karen Buckley, leader of Fylde Council, said: “The St Annes Masterplan is a bold and exciting long term plan which seeks to secure the brightest possible future for the town centre and seafront.

"Our bid for £13.14 million will help kickstart our ambitions with specific projects that can be delivered in the coming three years.

"Thanks to all those partners who have contributed and supported our LUF application, as well as all those residents, businesses and other stakeholders who have engaged with us so far.”

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County Coun Aidy Riggott, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Growth at Lancashire County Council, wrote in support of the bid: "The bid and its proposal are fully aligned to broader Lancashire economic and regeneration activities and, importantly, will be integral to improving the lives and opportunities of local residents. As such, Lancashire County Council has allocated £500,000 match funding from its Lancashire Levelling Up Investment Fund, subject to approval of a final business case.”

Fylde MP Mark Menzies said: “I have been working with Fylde Council throughout the process of developing its masterplan for St Annes and am pleased to have reached the stage where a funding bid is ready for the first stages of that work.

“St Annes is a great place to live and work but continued investment is important. These proposals will enhance the town and help attract new businesses and development, and I am pleased to be supporting Fylde Council in its regeneration work.”

A decision on the Round 2 LUF application is expected to be communicated to applicants in the autumn. If funding is approved by the Government, project planning will start immediately, with the project to be completed by March 2025.