LISKEARD and Bodmin are among the towns set to benefit from a £4million injection from Cornwall Council, writes local democracy reporter Richard Whitehouse.

The local authority is set to provide the funding to towns with empty shops whose high streets have been hit by a decline in the retail sector. The towns targeted by Cornwall Council are those not already being helped by other schemes such as the Government’s Towns Fund, which has seen Camborne and Truro receive £750,000 each and St Ives and Penzance receive £500,000. Meanwhile, Redruth has received a £1.7m Heritage High Street grant which is set to unlock a further £3m in both private and public funding.

As the Cornish Times went to press, Cornwall Council’s leading cabinet were set to be asked to approve some of the funding allocations set out in a report.

The report states: ’The changes faced on Cornwall’s high streets are not unusual in the UK, but they are exacerbated by additional economic challenges faced in Cornwall, including lower than average pay, geographical remoteness and the seasonality of tourism.

’This change is leading to an increase in the number of empty shops and an increase in the number of charity shops which in turn is leading to reduced footfall in most of our towns, especially in those that are not in tourism “hot spots”. This not only impacts on the economic growth of an area but has a negative impact on the community as a whole.’

A total of £425,000 has been allocated for St Austell, Liskeard and Bodmin. In Liskeard the money will support land holdings subject to redevelopment, and in Bodmin it will provide support for how council assets can support long term sustainability as well as public consultation on plans for the Dennison Road car park.

The council is also looking to provide up to £1m for joint regeneration projects which could include council assets.

And up to £700,000 will be provided to help with place-shaping work and allowing towns to launch pilot projects which could help deliver economic growth.