Knowsley Council has been allocated £1.5m to support capital programmes from the Pride in Place Impact Fund.
This Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government fund aims to develop shared community spaces, revitalise local high streets and improve public areas.
A total of £1.325m of the fund has been allocated to six projects that support strong, resilient and inclusive communities and are also aligned to the Knowsley Council Plan 2025-2030. The remainder of the funding will be allocated later this year.
The six projects are:-
- £0.250m contribution to the Knowsley Community Fund – which provides grants to community groups to deliver projects that provide essential support, from helping residents stay warm, safe, and well over the winter months, support for small capital projects, through to expanding and extending vital community services.
- £0.150m to MAKE CIC in Huyton to improve the shop front and support the high street and village centre’s revitalisation.
- £0.260m to support shop front improvements across the borough as part of the high street and town revitalisation. This includes Manor Farm and Hillside Road shopping parade in Huyton and Molyneux Drive shopping parade in Prescot.
- £0.130m to Big Onion Employment and Skills Hub in Prescot to support the refurbishment of the unit, including reconfiguring the first floor to create modern office space and installing a lift to ensure full accessibility.
- £0.485m to support the creation of a community hub in the former B&M Unit in Huyton, creating a place to meet, socialise, learn and much more in the heart of the village centre.
- £0.050m to Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot to improve community spaces, community pride, increase access to culture and heritage and create more welcoming, inclusive and vibrant public spaces for local people and visitors.
The remaining £0.175m of funding will be allocated in a second phase in line with the funding objectives and meeting local needs.
Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, said: “The Pride in Place Impact Fund is designed to provide immediate support to ensure areas can deliver visible improvements to high streets and improve places and spaces of community value.
“These six projects will all provide benefits to the wider community by creating enhanced community spaces, public spaces or deliver improvements to the high street.
“I look forward to seeing these project progress over the coming months.”