The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has announced the allocation of approximately £60 million to various areas as part of the Levelling Up Partnership funding. The investment will target regeneration projects across Boston, Stoke-on-Trent, Wakefield, the Scottish Borders, and Tendring, supporting a wide range of initiatives from culture and the arts to transport and housing.

Boston will receive £13 million for regeneration, including access to community sport and leisure facilities. This will deliver 30 affordable homes and allocate £10.2 million to Boston Leisure Centre and Boston United to support young people through the community sports complex. Community groups and tourism will benefit from £1.5 million, and £2.5 million will be committed to opening a digital and creative campus at Boston Campus.

Stoke-on-Trent will see almost £6.5 million allocated to the regeneration of historic and heritage buildings, with a further £2.5 million dedicated to improving recreational facilities and creating a new wellbeing campus. This will include the redevelopment of a 19th-century building for public use.

A spokesperson for Stoke-on-Trent City Council commented, “It is a relief that we have this approval before the election drawbridge goes up. Council officers have been contacting the civil servants daily to try to get a decision. With approval finally given, we will now crack on with delivery at pace. What is great about the programme we have designed is that it brings benefit to many parts of the city and people of all ages and interest.”

Wakefield is set to benefit from over £10 million in regeneration funds, which will include the renovation of the Grade II listed Crown Court and efforts to boost skills in the area. An additional £3.25 million will support the creation of 200 high-skilled jobs, while culture in the city will be enhanced by £1.5 million for the Hepworth art gallery, a new public art route, and a new community sector hub.

In the Scottish Borders, more than £11 million will support local development, including hotel developments, the purchase of business units in Eyemouth, and funding for the development of brownfield land in Hawick. The bus network will benefit from £2.3 million, and £6 million will go towards refurbishing and retrofitting buildings, youth services, and village halls in the region.

Tendring will see measures for the redevelopment of Clacton Leisure Centre, worth £3 million, providing sport facilities and integrated health and wellbeing services for communities. An urgent treatment centre and primary care facility will be delivered at Clacton Hospital, unlocked by £2 million, with other interventions benefiting from a further £2.5 million, subject to approval by the local Cabinet.