Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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Next wave of sea change funding rolls in for England's coastal towns
Nine more seaside towns will benefit in the latest round of funding from the Government's Sea Change programme, which is reinvigorating England's coastal resorts through investment in culture and heritage. From the northern borders to the south coast nearly £2.7 million will be handed out across four different regions.
Highlights of the projects receiving funding include:
* £1 million for year round cultural activities in South Shields including a theatre space and performance arts;
* £1 million for a new maritime heritage centre on Newbiggin seafront, along with a new cinema and exhibition space; and
* £500,000 to regenerate the eastern end of Worthing seafront with a new cultural area and Speakers' Corner.
Barbara Follett, Culture and Tourism Minister, said:
"Our seaside towns have fascinating histories and unique cultural traditions which we must preserve and strengthen so they can be enjoyed for hundreds of years to come. The Government's Sea Change programme is trying to do just this and, so far, has given over £29 million to fund regeneration projects in 28 resorts around England.
"These projects will help to restore people's pride in their towns and help families of the future to enjoy great seaside holidays like the ones so many of us remember from our youth.
"This funding brings hope to our coastal towns in tough economic times. I hope that this wave of Sea Change funding will inspire other coastal towns to do the same."
CABE Chief Executive Richard Simmons, commenting on behalf of the Sea Change partnership, said:
"What all these projects share is the ambition to get the English seaside holiday back in fashion and for resorts to recapture the flair we know they once had. These nine resorts have all shown that they want to use culture and high-quality design to encourage people to not only live and work there, but also to visit. One such example is a new maritime and heritage centre in Newbiggin - a project that clearly shares the objectives of the Sea Change programme."
A range of smaller grants have been made to fund feasibility studies for major projects. These include developing a Grade II listed building in Wells, North Norfolk with the potential for a theatre, new museum, art exhibitions and workshops; exploring plans for a centre of creativity in Jaywick in Essex; and looking at creating sites of special protection in Leysdown, Kent around the area's aviation history.
Notes for editors
1. The Sea Change programme runs for three years from 2008 to 2011, giving £15 million each year to seaside resorts. It is led by CABE working with the Regional Development Agencies, English Heritage, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, Arts Council England, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund. It was announced in November 2007. DCMS press notice 147 which refers to this can be found at http://www.culture.gov.uk
2. Wave 3 of the open programme commenced in January 2009. For further details and how to apply for the open application grants please visit the CABE website: http://www.cabe.org.uk
3. The exact amounts awarded in this round of funding are as follows:
South Tyneside Council - Foreshore, South Shields
£1,000,000
Funding will be used to extend the current summer
programme into a year round group of activities. There will be
space for theatre, and performance artists along with outdoor
spaces for educational visits.
Wansbeck District Council - Newbiggin £1,000,000
A new
maritime heritage centre will be created on the seafront which
will explore the fishing and sea rescue heritage of the town. A
cinema and new education and exhibition space will also be created.
Worthing Borough Council - Worthing £500,000
The eastern end
of the seafront will be regenerated with a cultural area for
public art and the town's Speakers' Corner will also be reinstated.
Kent County Council - Whitstable & Margate £30,000
The
funding will be used to explore the potential of an off road route
linking the Crab & Winkle route from Canterbury to Whitstable,
with the Viking Coastal Trail and the towns of Margate, Ramsgate
and Broadstairs.
Penwith District Council - Penzance £30,000
This money
will be used to develop a design guide for the promenade which
will support events including public performances and themed markets.
Essex County Council - Jaywick £30,000
A study will look at
developing the land around Jaywick Martello Tower, which will
become a centre for creativity.
Teignbridge District Council - Dawlish £26,500
This
funding will be used to explore creating an Arts Cafe venue on the
site of an old bandstand.
North Norfolk District Council - Wells £25,000
A study
will look at developing a Grade II listed building with potential
for a theatre, new museum and other exhibition and workshop space.
Swale Borough Council - Leysdown £24,000
Funding will be
used to look at developing sites of special protection and
interest connected to the area's aviation industry.
Public enquiries: 020 7211 6020
http://www.culture.gov.uk
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