Ripon’s application to become a Town Team Partner is to be formally approved today bringing £10,000 of Government money to the City after being supported by Ripon MP Julian Smith.
The Department for Communities and Local Government launched the Town Team scheme following the review of the country’s high streets carried out by Mary Portas. Ripon was one of over 400 towns and cities that applied to be a Portas Pilot but were unsuccessful in the bid.
However, Julian was one of a number of MPs who encouraged the Government to give support to those who were unsuccessful leading to the launch of the Town Team project which needed MP support to unlock the money.
The Greater Ripon Improvement Partnership is proposing to use the investment to improve the appearance of the city centre and work to develop the market.
Julian Smith said:
This £10,000 investment in the City Centre will help attract more shoppers and tourists to Ripon and boost the area’s economy.
The review by Mary Portas helped highlight a number of areas where centres could improve and I am pleased that Ripon decided to play a part in the process and has been rewarded for its efforts.
Now that this investment has been approved I look forward to seeing the plans that have been outlined be implemented in the coming months.
Judith Donovan, Chairman of the Greater Ripon Improvement Partnership, added:
GRIP is delighted with this generous award. We fully understand that there were more deserving winners of the original award, as Ripon has so many fabulous assets and opportunities anyway, but we also want to trial the new and the fact this award lets us start three key ideas for empty shops, public art and community based markets is fantastic.
