Seaside areas get state cash to improve their economies

The six schemes in England to receive money include the first coastal tourism academy in Europe and a project to support sustainable lobster fishing.

The money comes from the £24m Coastal Communities Fund launched earlier this year and further projects will be announced over the coming months, with the fund increasing to £28m next year.

“There is huge potential in our coastal towns that goes way beyond them only being places we visit for seaside day trips and holidays,” Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said.

“We are seeing opportunities being developed all the time by new industries and the Government is determined to help our coastal towns make the most of them.

“This money will help those towns tap into these enterprises and create the skills and jobs that will benefit the whole community.

“We cannot afford to waste this chance which is why the Government is committed to increasing the fund next year.”

The biggest award is £2m to Bournemouth Borough Council over two years to create Europe’s first National Coastal Tourism Academy.

Funds will also support coastal tourism businesses. The project aims to create 165 tourism jobs over three years in Bournemouth and 2,100 nationwide.

Barrow in Furness is awarded £900,000 for an initiative to boost growth, with the aim of creating 275 full-time and more than 85 part-time jobs.

The National Lobster Hatchery in Padstow, Cornwall, will benefit from £150,000 to provide four new jobs and 15 training and volunteering opportunities.

The RAK Maritime Project will receive £757,000 to provide maritime training to 63 young people each year over two years to support the renewable energy industry in East Anglia.

The South East Food Group Partnership has been granted £25,000 from its £80,000 bid to support the in-shore fisheries industry of South East England, creating 15 full-time sales posts for fishermen or family members.

Suffolk County Council will receive £762,000 to create 200 new apprenticeships to develop skills for the low-carbon energy sector in coastal communities in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.

Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander said: “This first round of successful awards under the Coastal Communities Fund will directly support local communities to regenerate their local area.

“The Fund will enable councils, businesses, charities and social enterprises to create and protect jobs and training opportunities.”