PM’s ‘fond memories’ of resort

Prime Minister David Cameron said he has fond memories of Blackpool – as he announced a £50,000 fund for emergency repair works to the Blackpool Pavilion Theatre within the Winter Gardens.
Pavilion Theatre at the Winter Gardens, BlackpoolPavilion Theatre at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool
Pavilion Theatre at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool

It is one of 77 projects to benefit from a £3m Coastal Revival fund.

Communities Minister Brandon Lewis said the funding will help secure key seaside attractions “for generations to come”.

The Prime Minister said:

Prime Minister David CameronPrime Minister David Cameron
Prime Minister David Cameron
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Blackpool boasts a rich heritage as one of Britain’s most important and iconic seaside resorts. It is vital that this great town has a bright and successful future – and I am determined the Government will help when it comes to making that happen.

“I have my own fond memories of Blackpool’s Winter Gardens and the Pavilion Theatre has a place in the hearts of a great many people - so it is excellent news that the £50,000 we are committing will help ensure it can be appreciated by future generations too.

“With a total £3m pledged for coastal projects today, it is clear we have an optimistic and ambitious approach to Britain’s seaside towns.

“We are providing a catalyst for further investment and securing treasured community assets for generations to come.”

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Ranging from theatres to piers and lidos to lighthouses, the projects will each receive grants of up to £50,000 to kick-start restoration work.

They are also set to attract £30m in private and public investment and could support up to 1,500 jobs.

Communities Minister Brandon Lewis said:

“Some of our best-loved buildings are falling into a state of disrepair – the £3m fund aims to restore them to their former glory.

“This funding will now kickstart the restoration work for 77 projects across the country, so they can continue to be enjoyed by local people and tourists for generations.”

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Earlier this year, the Government announced 118 Coastal Community Teams, to encourage local businesses, councils and voluntary groups to work together to create a long-term strategy for their community.

The £3m Coastal Revival Fund forms part of these wider efforts, and will help communities to start the work to bring back into use buildings which have suffered years of disrepair.

Other projects set to benefit from the funding include the regeneration of Seatown, Dorset , to improve access to the Jurassic Coast for visitors,

restoration work to help open West Pier Lighthouse, Whitby, to the publis; and restoration of the lighthouse in Spurn,
Kingston-upon-Hull, which will open to the public.