A FUNDING pot of £50,000 must be spent in Dovercourt High Street by the end of the month, it has been revealed.

The town's High Street was one of only ten places in the country to be part of the government’s Accelerator Pilot Programme, giving powers to those who live and work in town centres to bring about improvements.

As part of the programme, which was announced in early December last year, the High Street will receive £237,000 to spend by March 2025 and £50,000 of this has to be committed by the end of March 2024 to unlock the further funding.

Paul Milsom, owner of the Pier Hotel in Harwich, has been appointed as the chairman of the forum which will develop the plans for the pilot.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Leader - Paul Milsom has been appointed as Chairman of the Forum which will develop plans for the pilotLeader - Paul Milsom has been appointed as Chairman of the Forum which will develop plans for the pilot (Image: Submitted)

Mr Milsom, who also chairs the town’s Tourism Group, said: “The exciting thing about this project is the pace at which it will be delivered, and there was so much enthusiasm from partners at our first meeting that I am confident this will have a positive impact on the town.

“This is a pilot programme, allowing us to test out things to create sustainable improvements for our High Street; and while the initiative itself only runs for 15 months, I am hopeful this will develop into a long-term Forum to support our wonderful town centre.”

To launch the programme some of the funding is being used to put on a free family event is being planned for the Easter weekend, to be held in the Orwell Place car park and event space.

Details are still being developed, and a whole range of partners from across the town are coming together to stage the fun event.

Councillor Ivan Henderson, cabinet member for economic growth, regeneration and tourism at Tendring Council – which bid for the pilot – added: “This event gives us the chance to showcase the High Street, and hopefully demonstrate some of the potential interventions this accelerator pilot can deliver.

“Overall the pilot will help to build on the £9million Capital Regeneration Project happening around the wider town centre, helping to build a sustainable town for the future.”