Swindon Labour Group Leader hails Government cash boost for high streets

The move is part of a £210m nationwide package of support.
Cllr Jim Robbins, Leader of Swindon Borough Council's Labour Group and a former leader of the council has hailed the anniuncement.
He said: "This announcement by the Labour Government is hugely welcome news for towns like Swindon, and I urge the council to investigate what this new funding could mean for some of our most important neglected buildings – from the Mechanics’ Institute and the Locarno to the Oasis. 
"We should be ready to seize every opportunity to bring these assets back into use for our communities.
"This announcement also shows that it is vital that Swindon becomes part of the Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority as soon as possible, so our town can fully benefit from the investment and opportunities the Government is bringing forward.  
"We know the Government are keen to give us the green light and we can't let the Lib Dems in the region keep holding us back. 
"We'll miss out on the Co-operative Development Programme funding if Leaders can't come to an agreement and get the Thames Valley region over the line.”
Announcing the funding, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “People don’t measure growth by looking at a spreadsheet. 
"They measure it by looking at their local high street. Are shops opening or are the shutters down? Does the place feel like it’s moving forward or being left behind?
“The truth is that too many high streets have been left to hollow out, leaving town centres a shell of what they once were. That must change, and today’s funding will help put power back into the hands of locals who know their area best.
“That’s how we restore pride and bring hope back. Not by telling people things are getting better, but by giving them the power to see and feel the difference where they live.”
 

Subscribe to The Link