City of Lincoln Council along with partners Visit Lincoln and Lincoln BIG have been awarded more than £175,000 in government funding.
£175,632 has been awarded as part of the government’s Welcome Back Fund, which is providing councils across England a share of £56 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
This money will be used in a range of areas across the city through a range of environmental improvements, and help grow the local economy through the delivery of large events. This includes:
- Delivery of a range of environmental improvements to enhance the look and feel of the city centre, including:
- Clean up and restoration of street furniture - mainly benches in the city centre (clean and paint or treat)
- Increased pressure washing of known toilet and pigeon mess ‘black spots’
- Replanting of flower beds (include total replant and some brickwork repairs will be required)
- Anti-littering posters/triads for littered areas
- Purchase of some new tree guards for city centre tree plantings
- Undertake a ‘deep clean’ of the bus station
- Procure a new Perspex cover for the well at St Paul in the Bail
- Delivery of a high-profile event in the city centre.
- The event in early 2022 will be free to enter and will create a major attraction in its own right. Delivering the activity at this time of year will be a key driver for increased footfall into the city at a time which is generally very quiet. It is expected the increased footfall will help to support the local economy.
- Creation and delivery of a substantial communications campaign aimed at attracting visitors from across the East Midlands region into the city.
- Design and production of new city centre signage and general messaging.
- Extension of existing footfall counter licence and maintenance agreement for a period of 12 months.
- Street dress the key areas of the city centre
Cllr Neil Murray, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth at City of Lincoln Council said:
“All planned activities alongside our partners Visit Lincoln and Lincoln BIG are focused on attracting residents to Lincoln city centre and helping to grow the local economy following the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic. As we continue to open up, and welcome back visitors to the city, we aim to attract higher levels of footfall to the city to help grow the local economy and importantly ensure Lincoln continues to be a remarkable city and key tourist destination in the UK. I look forward to seeing works progress through this funding to enhance our great city further.”
Charlotte Goy, Chief Executive at Visit Lincoln added:
“Partnering with City of Lincoln Council and Lincoln BIG as we enter the festive season will ensure we can amplify support for local businesses. The events and activities will place Lincoln on the map as a tourist destination for the foreseeable future.”
Sarah Loftus, Chief Executive at Lincoln BIG said:
“This absolutely fabulous news for the city as we will able to put on some amazing free events in the city centre to attract local residents and visitors to the high street.”
European Regional Development Fund
The project is receiving up to £175,632 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.
The Department for Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding