Cornish towns will be receiving financial help after their lockdown re-openings after the Council was awarded over half a million pounds in funding.

Cornwall Council is receiving up to £609,639 from the government’s £56 million Welcome Back Fund, funded by the European Regional Development Fund, to support towns in attracting people into their local shopping areas now that they have re-opened.

This allocation includes funding for coastal resorts in recognition of the particular challenges likely to be faced this summer by tourism hotspots such as Cornwall with more people now taking ‘staycations’.

As an extension through to March 31 2022 of the European Regional Development Fund’s Reopening High Streets Safely Fund (RHSSF), the Welcome Back funding widens the scope of activities that can be supported.

It gives Cornwall Council the ability to liaise with local partners and support local visitor economies as well as high streets.

The Council is reportedly looking at using part of this funding to roll out an engaging programme of cultural and creative events across Cornwall.

Such activity will aim to attract people back into our reopened towns and high streets and contribute to their vitality.

To address the challenges of seasonality, the programme will also encourage visitors to experience those parts of Cornwall that are less visited.

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Funding can also be used to redesign certain public areas, turning them into attractive, year-round destinations.

This could include trialling new innovative ideas, creating more attractive outdoor seating areas, markets and commercial pop-ups in empty shops and public spaces.

Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for the economy, Stephen Rushworth, said: "The Welcome Back Fund is a timely extension of the RHSSF as our towns continue to safely manage and address the long-term impact of Covid-19.

"As Cornwall’s high streets have re-opened, the RHSSF has enabled many of our town and parish councils to put in place some of the many measures needed to create environments where social distancing and public health advice can be followed, and this remains a priority."

"As our local economies look forward to the future, many are already exploring ways to overcome the unique seasonal challenges that we face here in Cornwall.

"With the help of the Welcome Back Fund, we look forward to seeing people return to our town centres through showcasing some of the fantastic cultural and creative entertainment and artistic talent we have here in Cornwall.

"The creation of safely managed areas that can be used year-round will leave a legacy from this fund to ensure towns remain vibrant and welcoming places for visitors and residents."

Cornwall Development Company has been commissioned to provide project management support and will be liaising with local partners to determine expressions of interest.