Sarah Champion MP welcomes £1m in surge capital funding to liven up Rotherham high streets.

Sarah Champion, Member of Parliament for Rotherham, has welcomed the Government’s £1m surge in capital funding as a part of the “Pride in Place” programme distributed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government to the Rotherham Council.   

Under the “Pride in Place” programme, local communities are due to receive powers aimed at revitalisation of high streets, creating new spaces for local people and saving local treasures such as pubs or libraries. These measures are the largest transfer of power from Whitehall to communities under this Labour Government’s Plan for Change.   

Over two years this funding will enable immediate work to make sure that the places and spaces valued by the Rotherham community are improved and match the pride they feel.   

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Steve Reed said: 

“Yes, communities have been stretched – but they haven’t given up. They’re working hard to make things better, and we’re backing them.”  
 

“The Government is putting power into their hands so local people decide how best to restore pride in their neighbourhoods, not us in Westminster.”  

Commenting, Champion said:  

“This funding is really welcomed, as is the fact that it is for Rotherham people to decided how it is spent. Sadly, we have seen our High Street deteriorate over the decades. This money is a recognition of the immediate support needed to address issues that matter locally in Rotherham and I can’t think of a better place to start than the High Street.”  

ENDS