MORE than £150,000 of government funds to help regenerate the nation's high streets has been allocated for south Cumbria.

Simon Clarke, High Streets Minister at the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government, today announced £50 million of funding for high streets and local enterprises in England to '[help get them] back up and running safely and profitably' as Coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions begin to lift.

The new money is intended to support practical measures so businesses can re-open quickly when they are allowed to, enabling staff to get back to work and customers to return to shops.

£92,936 of the new funding has been earmarked for the South Lakes.

Meanwhile, £58,858 of new money has been set aside for Barrow.

The new £50 million funding comes from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

It is separate to the Future High Streets and Towns Fund and comes in addition to a £3.2 billion package for councils announced as a response to the Covid-19 crisis.

In a statement today, the Department of Communities said: "To prepare for the reopening of non-essential retail when the scientific advice allows, the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund will help councils in England introduce a range of safety measures in a move to kick-start local economies, get people back to work and customers back to the shops.

"It will also support a range of practical safety measures including new signs, street markings and temporary barriers.

"This will help get businesses get ready for when they can begin trading safely, not only in high streets and town and city centres, but also in other public spaces like beachfronts and promenades.

"Councils will also be able to use this money to develop local marketing campaigns to explain the changes to the public and reassure them that their high streets and other commercial areas are safe.

"It is the government’s ambition to reopen non-essential retail in a phased way from 1 June, subject to the scientific advice. The government will set out further detail on how and when these can reopen safely shortly."

High Streets Minister, Simon Clarke MP, said: "As we begin to slowly return to normality, the re-opening our high streets will be key to kick-starting our economic recovery.

"Levelling up the regions and supporting our high streets has always been central to the mission of this government.

"Many businesses have already introduced creative ways of trading such as contactless collection or taking orders by instant messaging and shows that they are ready for the challenges ahead.

"That’s why we are providing an extra £50 million for councils to support a range of safety measures that will help get these businesses back on track and ensure that people can enjoy their time visiting their local high street safely again."