COLCHESTER has been chosen to bid for up to £25million to develop a town regeneration plan.

A total of 100 towns which will be invited to develop proposals for a regeneration programme were announced by Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick.

The towns eligible for support from the £3.6 billion Towns Fund include places with proud industrial and economic heritage, but have not always benefitted from economic growth in the same way as more prosperous areas.

Communities, businesses and council bosses will now join forces to draw up ambitious plans to transform the town’s economic growth prospects.

The main focus is on improved transport, broadband connectivity, skills and culture.

David King, Colchester Council’s business boss, said it was great news for the town.

He said: “Colchester’s performance and potential has long been acknowledged by government.

“We have successfully bid for improvement funds before, from broadband investment to new energy sources.

“Most recently our work with others on garden communities has unlocked £100m road improvements and rapid transport money.”

But Mr King did query the specifics around qualifying for the money.

He added: “The government’s award criteria needs to be seen.

“But any opportunity to bid for up to £25m is more great news.

“We will work with businesses and the Business Improvement District to make the case for yet further investment, all for a Better Colchester, for us all.”

The government will soon publish a prospectus to guide towns through the process and set eligibility criteria for funding. Once approved, communities will have a say on how the money is spent.

Decisions on funding any proposals will be made in the near future.

Tony Ball, county councillor responsible for economic development, said: “Essex County Council’s strategic aim is to enable inclusive economic growth across the county.

“This invitation is a great opportunity for all four of these Essex towns and our officers will work in partnership with councils to access this government money.”

The news comes with a potential general election on the horizon. Colchester saw tight margins in the most recent election.

THE leader of Colchester Council has welcomed the announcement of town centre funding, but says it will not heal the scars left by austerity.

Mark Cory said: “We did put in a really good bid to the Better High Street Fund but it went to high streets that are struggling badly.

“I think the government has said ‘you put in a good bid, so we will give you another opportunity’.

“We are on the government’s radar as we have some innovative policies like garden communities and faster broadband.”

He said the money is long overdue and would have been welcomed before austerity hit.

He said: “I would prefer the government to have put the money in years ago as austerity has taken us too far with cuts to health, housing and police.

“We have suffered as a result and this money won’t heal the scars of the problems. I welcome it, if it actually happens.”

Local Government Secretary, Robert Jenrick, said ensuring prosperity and opportunities are available to everyone, not just London communities, was at the heart of the government’s mission.

He said: “We want to level-up our great towns, raising living standards and ensuring they can thrive with transformative investment in transport, technology, skills and culture.

“I will now work with local people from the 100 communities announced to agree proposals to invest up to £25 million in each place.

“I hope these deals will provide the investment and the impetus for long-term renewal ensuring each town can look to the future with a new optimism.”

In July it was announced the £3.6 billion Towns Fund would support an initial 100 town deals across England.