Purpose

The
report is provided in response to the Executive Paper
(EX39/2025
10th November 2025) and the decision to note the draft
list of potential Pride in Place Impact Fund schemes outlined in
the report, and for the approval of the final allocation of funding
to be delegated to the Director of Place, in consultation with the
Leader of the Council”. This is the first of what will be
several Officer Non-Key Decisions relating to projects to be
included in the Pride in Place Impact Fund programme, which will be
brought forward for approval as soon as they are ready to be
implemented.
 
This
report seeks formal approval for £265,000 capital grant
funding to be used to fund various projects that will support
businesses located in South Shore
 

Decision

That the sum of £265,000
from the Pride and Place Impact Fund is allocated to the following
projects:
 

a)    
South Shore
Commercial Improvement Fund – (Indicative allocation
£100k)

·      
Redlined District Area
of Waterloo Road and Lytham Road (See Appendix 1 – Map
Boundary)

·      
Approximately 20
retailers to receive grants of up to £5k for improvements to
shopfronts.  Examples could include new
windows, doors, painting and security improvements (See Appendix
2 -  Application Form Appendix 3
-  Fund Guidance )

·      
Other buildings to
consider would be prominently placed empty units (privately owned)
where some aesthetic improvements could attract tenants to
otherwise empty units.  At least one
prominent building has been identified

 

b)    
Urban Greening
Scheme – ‘Grey to Green’
(Indicative
allocation £30k)

·      
A green scheme aimed
at turning grey areas into vibrant green spaces

·      
Using existing
structures e.g. lampposts, bus stops, telephone boxes and bins to
provide innovative ways of providing planting and making them more
visually appealing

·      
South Shore to be put
‘on the map’ for combining public realm with vibrant
and alternative planting and growing options

·      
The outcome would be
the creation of a South Shore In Bloom group and a distinct brand
for the area

 

c)    
Vibrant Streets
Lighting Scheme (Indicative allocation £55k)

·      
Lighting
infrastructure improvements to increase lighting options

·      
Increase level of
security and confidence for traders

·      
Provide an extension
to the illuminations/attract visitors and increase
footfall

·      
Additional lighting on
existing lampposts

·      
Option for new
lighting structures ‘Welcome to Waterloo’ /
‘Shopping This Way’ etc
 

d)    
Pathways to
Place (Indicative allocation £45k)

·      
Clearer and innovative
wayfinding from gateways towards the High Street.  Examples
include from South Shore train station, both ends of Waterloo Road
including the promenade

·      
Wayfinding to local
attractions and green / open spaces such as George Bancroft Park
and the beach / promenade

 

e)    
Walks and Walls
– Colours in Motion (Indicative allocation £35k)

·      
Gable end / wall
murals in and around the high street

·      
Pavement art /
opportunity to link to the wayfinding

·      
Create wellbeing walks
/ trails alongside innovative art and street canvases/ distinct
pathways