THE Conservative candidate for Truro and Falmouth says that cash announced by the Prime Minister will help town centres grow.

Cherilyn Mackrory welcomed the announcement, which the Conservatives says builds on the Government’s Towns Fund and are designed to help places which have not always benefited from economic growth in the same way as more prosperous areas.

The package includes measures to:

· Keep the high street open for business. Cutting business rates for shops, cinemas and pubs. The average corner shop will get a £1,400 cut in their business rates from the extension in the retail discount. Up to half a million businesses will benefit, with the discount extended to all cinemas and music venues.

· Save pubs and post offices. Backing community groups who want to buy their local pubs and post offices with a £150m fund and a 9 month ban on sale to other bidders.

· Invest in cycling and walking. Making it easier for people to cycle and walk around their local areas, improving air quality and public health.

Cherilyn said: “This is great news. Truro is already on the list of places that will be able to bid for up to £25 million of the Government’s Towns Fund, and if elected I am looking forward to ensuring the potential of this bid is maximised.

“In Truro and Falmouth we have some amazing town centres with unique retail offers and the announcement by the Prime Minister today will help to not only preserve but grow what we already have.

“As a local Cornwall Councillor I have followed with interest the plans by Cornwall Council to open a dedicated cycling route between Newquay and Perranporth and have similar ideas about other such routes between Falmouth and Truro, so the investment in cycling and walking routes is music to my eyes – exactly the sort of green infrastructure we should be encouraging in these times.”

Boris Johnson, Prime Minister, said: “For too long, too many towns and villages across Britain have been overlooked and left behind. When the UK voted to leave the EU in 2016, many communities felt their voices had been heard for the first time in decades and their lives would improve.

“We will invest in these communities and help people put the heart back into the places they call home. We need to get Brexit done so that we can unleash the potential of all our towns, cities and villages. We will be able to save our high streets and keep pubs and post offices open."

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