DUNSTABLE has not been named among the 12 towns to receive a share of £1.2million to revitalise their high streets, but still stands a chance of government help as a second round of the competition was announced.
The town was one of 371 nationwide to submit a bid to be considered for the project, which is designed to help ailing town centres compete with out-of-town shopping centres and the internet by working with local councils to devise unique strategies.
‘Queen of Shops’ Mary Portas described Dunstable town centre as a “graveyard” when she visited for a BBC programme in 2009, due to the amount of disused retail opportunities.
She said last week: “It is now clearer to me than ever that Britain wants its town centres revitalised and the energy and accountability for that needs to rest with the people who live and do business there.
“My sincere congratulations to everyone who entered”
Among the successful bidders was Bedford, which will benefit from a scheme where larger businesses will support independent retailers.
Local government minister Grant Shapps said towns do not need to reapply to be considered as one of 15 further pilots to be announced in July, but may want to “sharpen up” their bids.
He said: “I believe more towns deserve to be selected.”
Dunstable town clerk David Ashlee said: “It’s disappointing, but we knew we were up against stiff competition.
“But what we are unaware of is why our bid was unsuccessful, and why the winning bids were successful.”
Mr Ashlee said it is “unlikely” that Dunstable will alter its bid, but that the town’s joint committee will discuss ways to implement plans shelved by the Portas results if funds become available.
The other winners are Croydon, Dartford, Bedminster, Liskeard, Margate, Market Rasen, Nelson, Newbiggin by-the-sea, Stockon-on-Tees, Wolverhampton and Stockport.