DUNSTABLE has again been unsuccessful in its bid to become part of the Portas Pilot scheme, but still faces the possibility of receiving Government funding to improve the town.
It will not be among the 15 winners in the second wave of the £1.5million project, the closest successful town being Hatfield.
More than 400 towns applied for funding and business support following a report by Mary Portas into the state of high streets across the country. Dunstable has now missed out on two occasions.
However, Minister for housing and planning Grant Shapps urged MPs representing unsuccessful towns to sign a national pledge to become a Town Team Partner and receive a share of £5.5million being made available for individual projects.
Mr Shapps said: “Each one that applies will benefit from a package of support to refine their plans and get the help and advice they need to bring their centres back to life.”
MP for South West Beds, Andrew Selous, told the Gazette: “I will certainly be signing the pledge. I will do anything I can do to help – of course I will.
“We have many people working for the good of the town, Nigel Young at Central Beds, Dunstable Town Council and the Federation of Small Businesses. I will absolutely work with those people to try to receive whatever funding we can from the Government.”
Central Beds councillor for Dunstable Nigel Young said: “We need to talk the town up. I believe Dunstable is in very good shape. Portas or not, we can still regenerate Dunstable.”
Find out how you can help Dunstable by visiting new website www.100ways.org.uk.