A series of projects to enhance town centres, as well as support tourism and businesses across Malvern, will get a funding boost. 

The funding proposal was approved by Malvern Hills District Council’s executive committee and the money will be allocated from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Up to £354,898 will go towards the delivery of town centre support and enhancements. These include:

• Small scale repairs and maintenance of town centres, including paths and public areas 

• Signage improvements

• Improvements to shop fronts

• Occupation of longstanding empty units

• Local campaigns to help improve footfall in high streets

READ MORE: own centre 'looking run down' says think tank High Street Malvern

Further projects include £220,000 for the delivery of tourism development and promotion, through marketing campaigns and development of tourist attractions.

There is also £145,000 being set aside for the delivery of a Malvern Hills business grants programme to provide start up, growth, green and innovation grants to local businesses.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025.

The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

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Cllr Daniel Walton, portfolio holder for tourism and economic development at Malvern Hills District Council (MHDC), said: “These proposals play an important role in helping us to achieve our aims and ambitions as described in our Five Year Plan and Town Centre Plans.

“The three projects are essential in continuing to improve and enhance our district for residents and visitors now and in the future.”

Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/business-support-and-jobs for more information on business support.

Separate funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has previously been allocated to helping businesses and entrepreneurs across the Malvern Hills district.

Up to £150,000 will go towards the delivery of BetaDen, a programme based at Malvern Hill Science Park that helps entrepreneurs get their concepts off the ground.

And MHDC is giving £140,000 to deliver the Worcestershire Growth Hub, funding that will enable the projects to be delivered until March 2025.