Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has backed Blackpool’s regeneration after telling Parliament “more needs to be done to unlock Blackpool’s great potential”.
Ms Rayner, who is also Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, was speaking after being quizzed by Blackpool South MP Chris Webb.
After being spotted recently partying in an Ibiza nightclub, she also pledged about the resort – “and you never know, we might visit the nightlife as well!”
Mr Webb highlighted the need for investment in Waterloo Road and Bond Street in South Shore where he had shown Ms Rayner “the awful visible decline of these areas” during a visit to Blackpool this year.
Speaking in the House of Commons, he asked if the Deputy Prime Minister and her department would “work with me and local businesses to ensure their successful regeneration?”
Ms Rayner said she had visited the town many times, including as a child, and said: “My department is working in partnership with Blackpool to unlock significant investment and I’ve seen that more needs to be done to unlock Blackpool’s great potential.
“And I’ll work with the Honourable Gentleman on the ongoing regeneration of Blackpool to deliver better quality housing and a stronger local economy.”
Following his question, Mr Webb said: “Last week I met with a constituent in South Shore to discuss her Bond Street property which has been severely impacted by a dilapidated neighbouring property.
“Over the past few weeks, I have been working with her and the council to understand this complicated case and to hold the neighbouring landlord to account over this abandoned site.
“I took the first opportunity back in Parliament to ask a pressing question on behalf of my constituents in Blackpool South.”
The previous Conservative government supported Blackpool’s regeneration programme through its Levelling Up Fund including £40m towards a new multiversity education campus, £40m towards relocating the Magistrates Court, £8m towards restoring the former Post Office building on Abingdon Street and £15m towards a town centre access scheme.
In March this year, the town was awarded £90m towards rejuvenating housing in the inner wards, which Labour has said it will honour according to Mr Webb.
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