THE announcement that Ellesmere Port was to receive support from a multi-billion-pound Government scheme designed to transform high streets across the country was welcomed as something needed for the area.

But a closer look at the High Streets Task Force announcement, made on Monday, December 30, suggests the area may not be receiving the windfall that others across the country may get.

It has been widely reported elsewhere that Ellesmere Port town centre is one of 14 'pilot areas' which will receive 'up to £25 million' funding.

However, while it is true that Ellesmere Port is indeed one such pilot area and will receive funding for 'training, expert insight, data and analytics, mentoring, and workshops', the sum of 'up to £25 million' is for a different High Streets Task Force project for 101 areas previously announced by the Government during the summer.

The Standard clarified with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Growth, which said in response: "There are 101 shortlisted areas for the £1 billion Future High Streets Fund (FHSF).

"Each of these areas is currently developing detailed proposals in order to bid for up to £25 million funding. Whilst each of the 101 areas has received capacity funding of up to £150,000 to support the development of their business cases, no capital funding has yet been allocated.

"The 14 named High Streets Task Force pilot areas [including Ellesmere Port] are not included in the 101 shortlisted areas for the FHSF.

"Instead, this initiative is designed to provide the pilot areas with tailored advice and guidance from industry leaders and experts through the High Streets Task Force.

"The High Streets Task Force was announced by the Government in response to recommendations of an expert panel on the high street chaired by Sir John Timpson."

While the exact sum for Ellesmere Port is yet to be confirmed, news of additional support was welcomed by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Deputy leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Karen Shore, said: “We welcome today’s news that Ellesmere Port has been successful in gaining this support, based on well-established programmes for investment we have put forward for the town centre.

“We look forward to working with the Task Force to develop our exciting plans for Ellesmere Port town centre.”

The news was more cautiously welcomed by Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Justin Madders, who was pleased the Government had recognised the need for investment in the town centre, but wanted to make sure there was "hard cash" to back the Government's words.

He said: "Having long campaigned for investment for our town centre, I am pleased that there has been recognition at last that Ellesmere Port, like so many town centres up and down the country, needs financial assistance to get it back to its best.

"However, I will reserve judgement on this announcement until we have seen the detail and know exactly how much will be made available and what it can be spent on.

"All we know so far is apparently it is only for access to training, support and research, which from my perspective would be helpful but is certainly not the silver bullet that we need to regenerate the town centre.”

“The council have had exciting "oven ready” plans to transform and regenerate the physical infrastructure of the town centre for some time now and it has to be the priority that any money that we receive is spent on realising that vision.

"True regeneration will only be achieved by modernising the appearance and the offer in the town centre and that needs hard cash to allow the council to deliver the plans they already have.

“This latest announcement follows a string of similar statements made on revitalising town centres from Government which so far appear to have not led to any tangible cash being spent on improvements delivered for the areas identified.

"I hope this one is different and I will make it my mission to ensure that if the government do now recognise the need to invest in Ellesmere Port town centre that we make sure that the money is spent on the right things that will encourage people to work, live and play there.”

“There is no doubt that many people care passionately about having a vibrant town centre and that something desperately needs doing to bring it back to life.

"I hope this now means we have a genuine opportunity to do that and that this is not yet another example of big headlines but little action from the Government.”

Communities Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick said: "Having announced the first 101 high streets that can benefit from £25 million each back in the summer, I am announcing support from our new High Streets Task Force for a further 20 places and naming 14 of these today.

"The Task Force will provide the tools they need to get the best advice possible and a dashboard of key local data.

"Central to the mission of this new government is levelling up towns and regions, ensuring prosperity and opportunity are available to everyone.

"Over the course of 2020, we will invest hundreds of millions into projects to transform our town centres and support bespoke plans to meet the needs of individual local communities."