THE government is boosting economic growth with £1 billion funding for 55 transformational from the 3rd round of the levelling up fund.  

This will drive forward the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy by levelling up and provide the foundations for building a better future in communities across the UK.  

These include a £13.5 million boost for Kendal to remodel the town's Market Hall and historic Market Place. New bike and pedestrian paths will also be built along the river, encouraging more sustainable journeys in and around the town. 

Blackpool will also benefit from the third round of the levelling up fund and will receive £15.4 million to transform the town centre, improving traffic flow, access to public transport, and infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. 

Levelling up Secretary Michael Gove said:- “Levelling Up means delivering local’s people’s priorities and bringing transformational change in communities that have, for too long, been overlooked and undervalued. Today we are backing 55 projects across the UK with £1 billion to create new jobs and opportunities, power economic growth, and revitalise local areas. This funding sits alongside our wider initiatives to spread growth, through devolving more money and power out of Westminster to towns and cities, putting in place bespoke interventions to places that need it most, and our long term plan for towns.” 

Full list of projects receiving funding in the North West:-  
 

·       £13.5 million from the Levelling Up Fund will be invested in remodelling Market Hall and historic Market Place in Kendall. New bike and pedestrian paths will also be built along the river, encouraging more sustainable journeys in and around the town. 

·       A project in Bolton will receive £20 million to support a number of improvements across its town. Its Grade II listed Le Mans Crescent building will be converted into a hotel and the Town Hall, also a Grade II listed building, will be renovated into a conference and event centre. The Market Place and its vacant retail units will also be developed to include a new public square, flexible studio and co-working space and a music venue for concerts and exhibitions. 

·       Manchester will receive £20 million to support the improvement of the cultural, retail and hospitality offer in Wythenshawe town centre, including transforming its former Co-op store into an artist and creative studio space, a new food hall and an area for fresh food sales. It will also include an expanded Enterprise Centre, including a co-working space. The town's wider public space will also see improvements, including more cycle ways and a new public square for community square for events. 

·       Denton town centre in Tameside will be further regenerated with over £16 million from the Levelling Up Fund, with improvements to its public spaces and new walking and cycling facilities.  

·       An £11.4 million share of the Levelling Up Fund will help boost several improvements across the historic heart of Leigh town centre in Wigan, creating flexible and active spaces to promote cultural and community events and better connections across the town. 

·       £15.4 million will help to transform Blackpool town centre, improving traffic flow, access to public transport, and infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians.  

·       Chorley will reinvigorate 3 central locations in its town centre to address long-term decline, supported by £20 million from the Levelling Up Fund. This will include funding for the Health and Wellbeing Hub, much-needed residential units within the town centre and a new town square to be used for community activities. 

·       Liscard in Wirral will receive £10.8 million to regenerate its town centre and public spaces into a pedestrian-friendly space. This will include upgrades to shops will be upgraded and a new community hub created to help improve pride in place. 

Growing the economy and making the long-term decisions to deliver the change the country needs is a priority for the Prime Minister.  

Today the Chancellor is also confirming the Investment Zones programme in England will be extended from 5 to 10 years, with the envelope of government funding and tax reliefs on offer now doubled to £160m.  

This can be used flexibly between spending on interventions such as skills, research and development and local infrastructure, dependent on local need, and tax incentives.  

Alongside this, the window to claim Freeport tax reliefs in England will be extended from 5 to 10 years until September 2031, providing greater certainty to businesses looking to invest, delivering growth and jobs, and levelling up the economy.