Newcastle-under-Lyme is to benefit from a share of a £1 billion fund to revitalise the nation’s high streets.

The Government has announced that the Borough Council has progressed to the next stage of the Future High Street Fund – a hugely competitive fund designed to make sure town centres remain vibrant by helping them to attract new businesses, boost local growth and create new jobs.

It means the Council will receive up to £150,000 to develop detailed project proposals relating to the Ryecroft area in Newcastle town centre, building on initial plans submitted to the Government in March. In the next phase councils will be eligible for up to £25 million of capital to invest in the regeneration of the town centres.

Council Leader Simon Tagg said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted in the Future High Streets Fund. As well as enabling us to progress a major initiative, it’s a clear endorsement of my administration’s strategy for the town centre. We’ve put regenerating the town centre at the heart of our Council plan, and have a clear and ambitious programme for change which includes breathing new life into the historic market, reviewing parking charges and installing new CCTV. We have taken every opportunity to communicate this ambition to Government. This award is the product of our clear strategic intent. I’d like to thank Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Improvement District, Staffordshire County Council, Keele University, the Newcastle and Stafford College Group, Aspire Housing and our other partners for supporting both this bid and the Council’s efforts generally in securing improvements to the town centre.”

Further guidance, including which elements of the Council’s funding bid have been successful, will be provided by the Government shortly.