DORSET could benefit from a £3 million fund to help kick-start the revival of at-risk coastal heritage that has potential to create new jobs.

The government’s Coastal Revival Fund will support communities looking to unlock the economic potential of those hard-to-tackle buildings, facilities and amusements such as piers, lidos and proms.

It will boost local economies by tapping into the opportunities that the heritage economy offers to new businesses and existing firms keen to grow on the back of the revival of local coastal sites.

The National Piers Society has said that Swanage Pier is one of the historic structures that could benefit, but other Dorset communities could also be in line for funding.

Seaside areas will also receive support from new Coastal Community Teams. More than £1 million will be provided for 110 teams which will create a long-term vision and strategy for their area to tackle the specific challenges their coastal town faces.

Each Coastal Community Team will be awarded £10,000 to establish themselves and will receive advice and support from the Coastal Communities Alliance.

Coastal Communities Minister Penny Mordaunt said: “There is enormous potential in our coastal areas that we are determined to unlock so they can rise up and create new jobs and play a key part in our long-term economic plan to secure a brighter future for Britain. The announcements we are making are about building capacity and opportunity in our coastal communities.

“Our new heritage fund is an important catalyst for drawing in additional funding and community good will that will get the revival of hard-to-tackle local coastal attractions underway and support new businesses.

“Coastal Community Teams will be essential for pulling together a shared vision that makes that most of local heritage, skills and know-how that can make our seaside towns and communities thrive.”

The National Piers Society has produced a list of piers including those that could benefit from the Coastal Revival Fund and Swanage Pier is on the list.

The Swanage Pier Trust is the overall managing body and took control of the Swanage Pier Company at the end of 1994 with the aim of restoring and maintaining the pier for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.

Operation, maintenance, and further development of the pier (the pier museum, shop and café, fishing facilities, diving facilities, events programme, boat trips) as a tourist attraction and community asset is the Trust’s overarching objective.

Details of how to apply to be a Coastal Community Team and further information about the Coastal Revival Fund - Heritage Restoration: Economic Regeneration will be published shortly. If you would like further information on these schemes in the short term or to register your interest, please email coastalcommunities@communities.gsi.gov.uk

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