Midhurst will benefit from a Government-sponsored fund of £10,000, following an application by local MP, Andrew Tyrie.
In September, the Midhurst Community Partnership, led by Cllr John Quilter, successfully registered to become a ‘Town Team Partner’. In becoming a Partner in the nationwide scheme, Midhurst will have access to a wide package of support, which should help to revitalise the old part of the town.
On top of the £10,000 fund, Midhurst Community Partnership will now be able to draw upon: a network of advisers managed by the Association of Town Centre Management; direct mentoring from a range of retail experts; and regular meetings with other Town Teams to share ideas.
Town Team Partners needed to have the commitment of their local MP in order to access this package of support. Andrew Tyrie therefore wrote to Mark Prisk, the Local Growth Minister, showing his support for the application.
It is thought that Midhurst Community Partnership will use the money to help build a sustainable and stable high street with a vibrant business base.
Key to this aim is to highlight the attractions of Midhurst Old Town to passing visitors. A large number of traders and retailers who have been involved with the Town Team stressed the need for more signage to draw attention to the most historic parts of the town.
It is hoped that the increased signage will attract more visitors and generate increased footfall for traders.
Andrew Tyrie met with the Midhurst Town Team on 26th October to discuss how the Town
Team would be spending the money and their plans going forward to help revitalise the Old Town area of Midhurst.
Councillor John Quilter, Chairman, Midhurst Community Partnership, said:
“We are delighted to have the backing of Andrew Tyrie for our projects and it is very important that he is going to take up some key issues for Midhurst on our behalf. The first of which is the lack of any signage to Midhurst on the new section of the A3 following the completion of the Hindhead Tunnel.”
Andrew Tyrie, MP for Chichester, said:
“After meeting the Midhurst Town Team I saw how a really lively team is putting together a project to revive the old part of Midhurst to get more people coming through here. They are finding ways of making the area more attractive, getting the signage right and getting this part of Midhurst thriving again.”