Reopening High Street Fund

Preston City Council views the health and success of the high street and city centre as a strategic priority.

The pandemic, with its multiple national lockdowns and local restrictions that have been implemented in Preston, has had a significant impact on footfall in the city centre.

The Council is committed to working with key partners to support the short, medium and long-term success of the city centre while maintaining the lowest possible risk to visitors, employees and business owners.

What we are doing

The approved RHSS action plan for the allocated £125,813 from the European Regional Development Fund through the Department for Communities and Local Government is as follows*:

Communications and public information activity to ensure that reopening of local economies can be managed successfully and safely

Commission an agency to undertake the following actions:

Targeted social media campaign promoting visiting Preston safely
Corresponding advertisements and advertorial in local and regional press
Radio Advertisement(s)
City centre signage
Digital Billboard (multiple changes)
Print billboards (multiple locations)
Bus rears
Fleet signage
Bin lorry signage

Business-facing awareness raising activities to ensure that reopening of local economies can be managed successfully and safely

Commission an agency to deliver a digital information package to businesses promoting safe practice, including at least one video, to support the information and advice available on the website.

*Please note: these are indicative actions that are subject to change based on the changing restrictions, etc.

Available resources

Supplier opportunities

Supplier opportunities related to this funding can be found below as and when they are available.

What is the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund?

The project has been allocated up to £125,813 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014 - 2020.

The Department for Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF.

Established by the European Union ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.