Cleveleys community group urge public to join in with new Government initiative to secure town's future

A community group has urged residents to help with a new project aimed at keeping their town "amazing".
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Cleveleys coastal community team, a group of volunteers who look after the town through fundraising and community work, wants more people for a new Government initiative called the "Community Access to Cash Pilots."

The project aims to help communities which struggle to access and bank cash in a growing "digital payment world" and, with Cleveleys' large elderly population, Care for Cleveleys chairman Jane Littlewood said it could strongly benefit the town.

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She said: "The organisers are looking for pilot towns, where people are invested in the effort to try things and try to make them work.

Care for Cleveleys are hoping people will get involved with a new "access to cash" pilot to secure the future of the high street in the town. Pictured is Victoria Road West.Care for Cleveleys are hoping people will get involved with a new "access to cash" pilot to secure the future of the high street in the town. Pictured is Victoria Road West.
Care for Cleveleys are hoping people will get involved with a new "access to cash" pilot to secure the future of the high street in the town. Pictured is Victoria Road West.

"Cleveleys is a perfect candidate, however to apply to be a pilot area, the support of businesses and a team of people to drive it is required."

Creating solutions must be a joint effort, Jane added.

The initiative's website said it was set up to "keep cash access for individuals, and help retailers accept and bank it," where high streets are adapting to more bank branch and cash machine closures, plus a rise in digital banking.

Natalie Ceeney, chairman of the Community Access to Cash Pilots, said: "The initiative was announced in autumn but is now close to launch.

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"Around 17 per cent of the population will struggle without cash, and as these people are disproportionately from poorer, more rural and more vulnerable communities, there is a risk that the digital revolution will leave millions of people behind."

To be accepted onto the scheme, "commitment" from the community is required, as well as leadership.

But the project is not the only reason Cleveleys coastal community team is appealing for help.

The group needs volunteers to help with planting and gardening for the upcoming Britain in Bloom competitions, extra pairs of hands for fund-raising, and people to join in with making bunting for Victoria Road West.

For more information about how you can help, email Jane here.

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