Morecambe to share seaside towns cash

MORECAMBE is one of 20 seaside town areas which will be sharing in £16m of government funding to boost economic growth. 

The Morecambe Bay Partnership is to receive £490,000 from the fund which aims to create jobs and bring new businesses opportunities to seaside towns, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles announced.

In total the cash from the Coastal Communities Fund  will deliver almost 4,000 jobs, support 250 new business start-ups and create more than 1,500 apprenticeships and 400 volunteering opportunities.

The money will be used for a variety of projects, such as schemes to provide skills training and advice, plans to rejuvenate old heritage and leisure facilities, and projects to help businesses embrace digital technology.

Mr Pickles said: “It’s a missed opportunity if we don’t tap into the huge potential our coastal towns have to welcome new industries and to diversify their economies so they can become year-round success stories.  

“We’ve seen enormous enthusiasm for this Government fund and had to make some difficult choices but the projects we’ve chosen will create thousands of jobs and help many start-up businesses.

“This money will help these towns tap into new business opportunities that will create jobs and boost skills that will benefit the whole community.”