Local MP's for Sutton and Cheam Paul Scully and Carshalton and Wallington Elliot Colburn today welcomed more than £11m worth of Government funding that has been allocated to Sutton Council for the Future Hugh Street Fund.
Sutton High Street like many other high streets has come under pressure in the last few years from online shopping as well as suffering from the lack of footfall Covid-19 has presented this year. As part of a £830m programme initiated by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to help high streets respond to and adapt to changes in consumer habits, Sutton Council put together a bid for a tranche of funding based on Sutton's local needs. It was announced that Sutton would receive its full £11.35m allocation of funding following a bid to central government that was submitted by council officials.
MP for Sutton, Cheam and Worcester Park Paul Scully said in response to the good news:
"This is fantastic for Sutton and I'm pleased that our needs have been recognised by central government. As the Minister for Small Business and for Retail I know only too well the strain that the industry has come under this year and I'm really pleased for those on the high street in Sutton who can look forward to this increased investment into our area.
"I'd like to thank those who put together the bid and those in MHCLG who considered and accepted it, let's now work to ensure that the funds are spent correctly and in the places where it is needed most."
Elliot Colburn, MP for Carshalton and Wallington added:
"It is great news that this Conservative Government has delivered this investment in Sutton High Street which I know will be welcome by many Carshalton and Wallington residents who work and shop there.
"The work doesn't stop here as we want to see all our local high streets and parades of shops thrive after the pandemic, so I will be continuing my work to ensure that the local economy in Carshalton and Wallington is supported for the long-run."
Also commenting, Sutton Conservatives Housing, Economy and Business Spokesperson Cllr Catherine Gray said:
"It's great news that the Conservative government have allocated the full amount that the council bid for. We would like to thank the council officers for putting together a great bid as well as to recognise the work the two Conservative MP's in the borough did to secure this investment for Sutton.
"Of course, having the funding is only the first hurdle in giving Sutton high street the help that is needed. The next step is to ensure the administration implements this funding correctly. Recently we have seen how this Liberal Democrat administration embarks on ill thought-out schemes which squanders taxpayer's money.
"To make sure this doesn't happen again, we ask for a cross-party working group to be set up, so we can provide scrutiny and governance to ensure we get true value for money."
