£50m funding announced for high streets across Black Country and Staffordshire

Wolverhampton, Brierley Hill, Walsall, Stafford and Kidderminster are set to benefit as part of the Government's £830m Future High Streets Fund.

However only Kidderminster's £20m funding and Brierley Hill's £9.7m are confirmed, with the other areas provisionally earmarked the money until further details are approved.

Sandwell is not on the list, but it received £25m this time last year as part of a pilot for the High Streets Fund.

Money from the cash pot has been earmarked to "renew and re-shape" town centres by making them more attractive places to live, work and visit in the hope of halting their decline and helping them "bounce back".

Kidderminster and Brierley Hill are among 15 towns across England handed guaranteed funding – with Wolverhampton, Walsall and Stafford among 57 areas given provisional funding.

Wolverhampton will receive more than £15m, Walsall town centre £11m, and Stafford more than £14m.

High street funding for region:

• Kidderminster - £20,510,598 (confirmed)

• Wolverhampton - £15,760,196 (provisional)

• Stafford – £14,377,723 (provisional)

• Walsall – £11,439,967 (provisional)

• Brierley Hill - £9,985,689 (confirmed)

Leaders from the three areas will now work with ministers to finalise their funding proposals.

Pat McFadden, MP for Wolverhampton South East, welcomed the funding but expressed disappointment that the city had been granted £5m less than the £20m it had asked for.

The Labour MP said: "Any extra funding is welcome after the tough time our high streets have had over the past year but the amount announced for Wolverhampton is significantly less than we bid for.

"This will meant the city has to revise downwards what will be done compared to a fully funded bid.

"Our high streets need all the support they can get at a time of rapid change in consumer habits."

The plan for Wolverhampton focuses on Victoria Street, Bell Street, Fold Street and the public areas around the Civic Halls and the Westside developments, which used to be part of the city’s retail core. Victoria Street, Skinner Street, Salop Street and School Street would all be made traffic free, as would the space outside of the Civic Halls, which are due to reopen in early 2022.

Stuart Anderson, MP for Wolverhampton South West, said: "I am delighted that Wolverhampton is set to receive over £15 million to help regenerate our local area. I love Wolverhampton.

"We have many fantastic businesses here which have been doing an amazing job despite the impact of coronavirus.

"I am determined to keep levelling up opportunities for our great city, and I know that this funding announcement is just the beginning of this work."

In Walsall, there are plans to enhance the main railway station along with St Paul’s bus station and the Bradford Place bus interchange. There is also an aim to boost St Matthew’s Quarter with improved markets.

Stafford wants to use the money as part of its Northern Town Centre Masterplan, with improved shops, hotels and residential development.

Councillor Patrick Farrington, leader of the Stafford Borough Council, said he hoped the authority could start showcasing plans for a revamped high street "in the near future".

He said: "This is excellent news. Yet again the Government has recognised the role we have played in attracting major investment to the borough - and has now backed that with this proposal for substantial funding for our high street plans.

"Stafford Borough Council will continue to lead, and deliver, on our priority for growth in the county town and wider borough and, with the continued support from our partners, will bring many of our initiatives to fruition."

The other areas in Staffordshire granted funding were Newcastle-Under-Lyme, which was given a provisional £11m, and Tamworth, which was given a confirmed £21.7m

While Councillor Graham Ballinger, leader of Wyre Forest District Council, said the money would "breathe new life" into Kidderminster.

Nearby Worcester has been given confirmed funding £7.9m to transform its town centre by renovating the Scala Theatre and Corn Exchange.

Councillor Ballinger said: "This is fantastic news for Kidderminster and a great fillip for the town after a tough year.

"The council will now be able to move forward with three major transformational projects to support regeneration of the town through introducing a wider range of uses, which will breathe new life into Kidderminster.

"As the district’s largest town, the benefit will be felt across the district through construction and other job opportunities, and new commercial and housing provision.

"Town centres are changing rapidly because of the retrenchment of traditional retail activity, a process that has speeded up as result of the Covid pandemic.

"This grant award, which is believed to be the largest ever Government grant secured by the district council, not only recognises the quality of the district council’s bid and the compelling case for investing in Kidderminster’s future but also means the town will be better placed to adjust to recent changes and exploit new opportunities for its future vibrancy."