A brand new Activation and Community Engagement (ACE) Fund has been launched today as one of the six Grimsby town centre projects which form Grimsby’s Towns Fund.
The ACE Fund, which is ring-fenced to Grimsby Town Centre, will offer grants of £500-£25,000 to business ventures and community-based organisations in Grimsby to bring forward activities that will add local interest to the larger regeneration projects already underway.
Developed through consultation with local people and organisations about what would make a difference to the town centre, there is a grant allocation of £850k to deliver the Activation Fund from the £20.9m Towns Fund awarded to Grimsby, will be phased across the next three years to support the establishment of alternative activities in Grimsby town centre.
The fund will cover projects that fit with at least one of the following six town centre priorities identified in the Masterplan:
- Introduce more diverse uses to the town centre
- Reconnect the town centre and the community with the waterfront
- Promote and support community ownership and participation
- Identify development opportunities within the town centre, including low-carbon initiatives
- Prioritise health and wellbeing activity in the town centre
- Enhance employment, skills and entrepreneurial opportunities
To apply for the fund, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk and search for links to the Activation Fund on the Town’s Fund page.
Cllr Philip Jackson, Leader of the Council said: “This a great opportunity for new or novel town centre businesses and community groups to apply for grant funding to get established. We need a diverse and interesting high street with new local enterprises to attract more footfall and make Grimsby town centre more vibrant and appealing.”
As previously reported, Grimsby was a trailblazer for this Towns Fund initiative, having signed the Greater Grimsby Town Deal in 2018. The Towns Fund is designed to see targeted investment into areas that will help to get towns around the country back onto a ‘level playing field’ – providing a springboard for private investment and growth.
The fund will be publicised as part of the Small Business Saturday Tour and LoyaltoLocal campaign in the town centre on Wednesday 10 November with two networking events being held on the day.
8.15am – 9.30am at St James Hotel
10.30am – 11.30am at Grimsby Minster (by the café)
For more information and to book your place, go to
St James Hotel – https://stjamesnetworking.eventbrite.co.uk
Grimsby Minster – https://friendlygettogether1030.eventbrite.co.uk
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