£25m boost to make Redditch a better place to live, work and play

The Advertiser revealed last Friday that the Local Government Secretary announced 100 towns which were eligible for support as part of the Town Deals funding which totals £3.6billion.

And Redditch is on the list - and could get up to £25m.

The aim is to level up all regions by boosting productivity, skills and living standards.

Now communities, businesses and local leaders will now join forces to draw up ambitious plans to transform the town.

Council Leader Matt Dormer said: “The Conservative administration has made no secret about our commitment to ‘Unlocking Redditch’ as we know what potential this town has.

“This is a great opportunity for us to get our ideas down and share our vision for Redditch and put forward a proposal to the Local Government Secretary.

“Being on the list of the 100 places eligible for this cash is great news and we will work together with our communities and partners to successfully claim what Redditch deserves.”

Councillor Mike Rouse, whose Portfolio covers Leisure and Cultural Services, added: "I am especially pleased to see that culture is listed as one of the key aspects of this fund.

“Redditch has a rich industrial-based heritage that we have already started to unlock, and with this additional funding we will be able to reforge Redditch into an even better place to live, work and play.”