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Portas Pilots chooses 12 towns for rejuvenation Monday, 28th May 2012
Photo credit: My Retail Media
The first 12 towns to become Portas Pilots were unveiled on Monday, as Mary Portas admits she has been “deeply touched” by the nation’s reaction to the initiative.
Of the 370 towns that applied, only 12 will get to share the £1.2 million granted to the first round of Portas Pilots scheme, following the Portas' review of the high streets last year.
The twelve winning towns are: Bedford, Bedfordshire; Croydon, Greater London; Dartford, Kent; Bedminster, Bristol; Liskeard, Cornwall; Margate, Kent; Market Rasen, Lincolnshire; Nelson, Lancashire; Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland; Stockport, Greater Manchester; Stockton on Tees, Teesside and Wolverhampton, West Midlands.
Each town will be provided with tailored support to help them spend the grants on rejuvenating their high streets and town centres.
Local government minister Grant Shapps said there would be a second batch of 12 pilots announced by the end of July, along with three more to be funded by the Greater London Authority.
"The best local high streets offer more than simply shopping - they are the beating heart of their neighbourhoods: places to meet, work, relax and come together as a community," Shapps said.
"It's why this competition to become a Portas pilot has captured the imagination of the nation, with communities across the country uniting to support their high streets."
Having become somewhat of a figurehead for the battle high streets are facing in the economic downturn, Portas said she had been “deeply touched by the quality and creativity of the bids and the momentum Britain's first town teams have generated in just a few short weeks.”
“It is now clearer to me than ever that Britain wants its town centres revitalised and the energy and accountability for that needs to rest with the people who live and do business there."
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Posted in People, Retail Industry, Shopping Centres Tagged portas pilots, grant shapps, high street, britain, uk, mary portas, town, centres, 12, twelve, chosen, list, finalists
