More than £6 million of funding has been promised to help England's high streets recover from effects of the coronavirus pandemic - and Falmouth has played a key role in winning it.

The money will be paid to local authorities and then dispersed to Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), to spend on projects that will support businesses by creating extra sales and additional services.

Falmouth's Town Team played a lead role in securing funds for Cornwall, with BID manager Richard Wilcox and town manager Richard Gate involved in the national lobbying effort that led to the government's decision, through their roles as co-chairs of Cornwall Towns Group, and Mr Wilcox also chairman of South West BIDs.

Mr Wilcox welcomed yesterday's announcement from high streets minister Simon Clarke, saying: "This is good news and a positive announcement from the government.

"It highlights that national policy makers value the vital role that BIDs are playing in respect of the support they give to thousands of businesses and hundreds of towns and cities across the UK."

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There are now 261 not-for-profit BIDs in operation across England, which Mr Wilcox said had invested £100 million into supportive projects for their respective business communities.

He added: "The news also acknowledges the crucial part that BIDs will play in the extensive recovery and revitalisation plans that are being formulated for our communities.

"The Falmouth Town Team plays the lead role in the regional BID industry, with the Cornwall Towns Group chaired by the Falmouth town manager and the South West BIDs organisation chaired by myself.

"Both bodies have played an active role nationally in this effort; our place management community working productively together to help secure this funding boost.”

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Making the announcement on Friday, the high streets minister said the £6.1 million was the latest in a series of measures designed to keep the country's economy running during uncertain times.

Explaining the decision to involve BIDs, Mr Clarke said: "These partnerships are uniquely placed and have a proven track record of success in supporting local businesses, empowering communities, championing our town centres and driving forward the renewal of our high streets.

“It’s only right that during these unprecedented times we give them all the necessary support they need to continue operating, so that they can carry on their vital work now and crucially when we move into the next phase of the current crisis.”

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He added that the latest packet of support came on top of:

• The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which pays 80 per cent of workers’ salaries up to £2,500 a month, backdated to March 1 and available for at least three months.

• £330 billion worth of government-backed and guaranteed loans, including a new Bounce Back Loans scheme providing up to £50,000 to the smallest businesses affected by the pandemic.

• Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors not having to pay business rates for the 2020 to 2021 tax year.

• A deferral of the next quarter of VAT payments for firms, until the end of June 2020.

• A £12.3 billion package for local authorities to hand out grants of up to £25,000 to eligible businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.