NORTHWICH and Winsford projects which support arts, culture and regeneration are set to benefit from a slice of more than £2 million of Government funding.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is awarding projects across the borough cash from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which provides a financial boost for local investment until March 2025, replacing European funding.

Locally, the Now Northwich dance festival, run by Cheshire Dance, has been awarded £89,500 for 2023/24 for its events in 2024 and 2025.

In Weaverham, the Cheshire Wildlife Trust has been awarded £33,506 to improve access at Owley Wood.

The funds will provide a new recycled plastic boardwalk, with a 40-year life expectancy, to replace the existing rotten, wooden one.

In Winsford, the Crosshatch Studios Cinewindow, which provides a programme of cultural activity in the town centre has been awarded a total of £81,140 across 2023/24.

The Future Sounds project at The Hive, by Edsential CIC, has also been awarded £117,726 for the same period.

Councillor Nathan Pardoe, CWAC cabinet member for inclusive economy, regeneration and digital transformation, said: "I am delighted we are able to make these awards for projects covering the next two years which will make such a substantial impact on helping to deliver vitality to our town centres and support residents most exposed to the cost-of-living crisis."

The UK Shared Prosperity funding will also be used by the council to support the most vulnerable in society and those at risk due to the cost-of-living crisis through the voluntary and community sector in the borough.

Councillor Pardoe added: “The council remains committed to supporting people with the cost-of-living crisis, and many of the projects we are supporting with these awards are focused on our most deprived neighbourhoods.

"We felt it was vital our plans support the most vulnerable in society, so I am pleased we are able to award funding to a wide range of groups which deliver services and increase volunteering to support people with disabilities, people with autism, carers, victims of domestic violence and trauma as well as communities which have higher incidents of mental ill-health.”

The programme also sets aside a small amount of funding to undertake feasibility studies which include an accessibility study to map facilities and identify priorities for helping to support disabled people have better access to towns and the city centre and a study to identify sites to grow food to help support community projects in deprived neighbourhoods.

The council will be launching a second call for community and place projects in the Autumn and full details of funding available and criteria are on the webpage, together with a list of successful awards is available at: cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/business/shared-prosperity-fund/communities-and-place

Grants to third parties of more than £50,000 are awarded provisionally subject to member call in and final due diligence checks.