EVESHAM and Pershore will benefit from thousands of pounds of extra funding to support their economies through the downturn.
Regional development agency Advantage West Midlands has been working with regeneration specialists throughout the county to devise a tailored package of economic measures to support market towns worst affected by the recession.
Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff and members of the West Midlands Taskforce have coordinated the scheme in response to the economic crisis. Leaders from Government, business, regional agencies, local councils and trade unions are being consulted. Mr Luff said he thought the package addressed the needs of major employers, small businesses and hard-pressed families.
Larger companies will be offered help keeping their workforce and a £250,000 cash pot has been made available to smaller shop owners. The Citizens Advice Bureau and similar services will also receive funding.
Festival season in Evesham and Pershore is also in for a boost with a £100,000 investment from AWM to make major town events successful.
Mark Pearce, corporate director for economic regeneration at Advantage West Midlands, said: “We know that times are hard in our rural areas as a result of the recession. Many market towns are hugely reliant on a few local employers, their local high streets and tourism.
“This tailored economic response, as recommended by the taskforce, is above and beyond our current rural programme and is being rolled out to give market towns the right support and access to the right opportunities to thrive, and not just survive this recession.”
The West Midlands Taskforce, which is chaired by Ian Austin MP, was established in November last year.
For more information, log onto supportwm.co.uk.
