Local areas miss out on 'Portas Pilot'
News > Harrogate District
1:06pm 25th May 2012.
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MP Andrew Jones: 18 May
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Ripon, Otley and Bentham have all missed out on becoming one of the first 'Portas Pilots'.
12 areas - including Nelson in Lancashire - have been chosen to benefit from the scheme designed to rejuvenate town centres.
The winning bids will each receive a slice of £1.2 million and a tailored package of support from the government and retail guru Mary Portas - better known as the 'Queen of Shops'.
Over 370 applications were received from across the country.
There is still hope for the areas that missed out, with Local Government Minister Grant Shapps announcing a second round of pilots. He said:
"The quality and sheer number of applications has been overwhelming – 12 winning bids now have the chance receive expert advice and financial support, but I believe more towns deserve to be selected.
"So today I can announce a second round of the competition will see 15 more town centres benefit from this unique opportunity.
"Together these pilots can be the vanguard of a high street revolution, and others can look to their example to kick start a renaissance of our town centres."
The first 12 successful pilot towns are:
Bedford
Croydon, Greater London
Dartford, Kent
Bedminster, Bristol
Liskeard, Cornwall
Margate, Kent
Market Rasen, Lincolnshire
Nelson, Lancashire
Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland
Stockport, Greater Manchester
Stockton on Tees
Wolverhampton
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Yorkshire Dales: Local areas miss out on 'Portas Pilot'
Ripon, Otley and Bentham must wait for the second round of the scheme designed to rejuvenate retail centres.
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