The Government has announced measures which could see the region benefiting from a slice of a £18.2m package of funding available to English coastal towns and communities.

The new fund is aimed at supporting those towns and communities who have historically been dependent on tourists and fishing for their bread and butter by encouraging them to develop other economic interests such as renewable energy and environmental improvement.

The fund is linked to the revenue brought in by the Crown Estate’s marine activities and the amount available from April 2012 will be half of the total revenue raised in 2010-2011. The fund is then split between England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Those wishing to be granted part of the fund will be required to bid for it. It is thought that the Big Fund, part of the lottery organisation, will deliver and manage the funding to the communities.

This is an opportunity for businesses and charities alike to take advantage of Government funding to expand and regenerate their local area. Further information on how to submit bids will be made by the Treasury office shortly.

Tozers set up a number of charities to take advantage of a similar scheme a 6 to 8 years ago, the Market & Coastal Towns Initiative, and is well placed to advise on similar projects in the future.

Look out for further updates and information on our website.

For more advice on this please contact Richard King, Amy Laver or Megan Cross on 01392 207020 or email   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it