The Towns Deal Fund is part of the Governments investment plan to level up regions, providing an opportunity for economic growth across the country. Ipswich Borough Council and partners were successful in bidding for £2.81 million to invest in improvements to the towns shopping parades focussing on revitalising retail hubs across the Borough.

The fund will be allocated to two schemes:

1. The first investment scheme for selected Ipswich shopping parades. Group 1 could receive up to £250,000 each to refurbish the external appearance of the area to; improve curb appeal and help increase footfall and raise sales revenues. A second round of applications identified in Group 2 will be able to bid for smaller interventions to provide improvements to the local area.
2. A second investment scheme will provide investment to community facilities. Community facilities which are linked to a shopping parade location will be able to apply for funding which enhances the offer to local residents such as play areas or community meeting spaces from a total fund of £260,000.

Applications for Group 1 Shopping Parades investments closed on 19 February 2023. Proposals are being assessed for viability and whether they are deliverable. Not all applications will be successful and some may only be implemented in part dependent on funds and feasibility. Successful applicants will then be contacted, and plans drawn up and a tendering and procurement process will be undertaken for the planned works.

Group 2 Shopping Parade applications closed on 30 November 2023.

The eligible Shopping Parades for Group 2 funding are:

• Foxhall Road (Town End)
• St Helen's Street
• Bixley Road / Foxhall Road
• Brunswick Road
• Cauldwell Hall Road (Spring Road / St John's Road)
• Woodbridge Road East
• Bramford Road (Town End)
• Dales Road
• Fircroft Road
• Norwich Road (197-507)
• Ravenswood
• Reynolds Road
• Stoke Park Drive
• Cambridge Drive
• Dickens Road
• Lavender Hill
• Maidenhall Green

We encourage one collaborative application per shopping parade with at least 50% of businesses supporting the interventions requested and Local Councillor endorsement.

An application does not guarantee a shopping parade will receive funding. All applications will be assessed by a panel and will have further public consultation before any funds are allocated. Not all application submissions or suggested items will be successful. Applications will be considered in several phases which includes review by the Town Deal board and public consultation. Applicants may be contacted to clarify points or discuss amendments.

Successful applications will be announced in due course, and then works will commence in 2024.

Community Facilities applications

The expression of interest application process for up to £20,000 per project for community facilities across Ipswich closed at midnight on 29 July 2023. Community organisations with a strong geographical link to shopping parades had to evidence how the funding will benefit those using the parade to be eligible for funding. This is itended to support facilities delivering community; education and training; health and wellbeing; sports, leisure, and recreation; and environmental or sustainability activities near to eligible shopping parades. The Task Force Group is reviewing expressions of interest and projects which best meet best the needs of the local area will be asked to develop their proposals.

To enquire about either of the Towns Deal grant funding schemes above (Shopping Parades or Community Facilities) please email: town.deal@ipswich.gov.uk