Seaside towns get 10m Government grant

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has announced details of its Sea Change initiative aimed at promoting Britain’s coastal resorts. The first stage of the £45m programme will see £10m invested in Blackpool, Dover and Torbay.

The Lancashire resort has been awarded £4m to create a 20,000 capacity outdoor performance space to showcase cultural events on the seafront. In addition, the streetscape from the Tower (pictured) to the Headland will be redesigned and enhanced.

Dover will receive £3.85m to develop a cable car running from the Western Dock to the castle. Improvements around the castle will also be made to allow new displays about its history and heritage. The Bleriot Monument, which commemorates the first cross-Channel flight, will be refurbished.

Torbay in Devon has been awarded £2.25m to develop two projects in its English Riviera Geopark. The plans involve artistic regeneration and will create 10 new studios and a gallery as well as a refurbished visitor centre.

Culture and Tourism Minister Margaret Hodge says she hopes the grants will inspire other coastal resorts to draw up plans of their own.