WESTON-super-Mare is set to benefit from a £20 million investment from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

That is due to a successful bid by North Somerset Council as part of the authority’s ambitious placemaking vision for the town.

The investment will be used to focus on several high-profile sites across Weston’s town centre and seafront, transforming the culture, leisure and retail experience for residents, business, and visitors.

Cllr Mark Canniford, executive member for placemaking and growth at North Somerset Council said: “This additional funding is an extremely welcome boost to Weston, helping to increase footfall and spending, and turning local sites into must-visit destinations.

"These projects will bring further momentum to already changing perceptions, attract further investment, and create a positive cycle of ongoing change and reinvention.

He added that: "This bid has emerged from strong partnerships forged through the creation of the Weston Placemaking Strategy, a ten-year vision for Weston's renewal.

"The investment will make a significant difference to residents, independent businesses, and Weston’s economy, and I look forward to work starting on all these projects as soon as possible."

The Weston sites set to receive investment include:

  • Tropicana - Building on the international profile raised by the SEE MONSTER project, the Tropicana will see enhancements and expansion to the events space to create an attractive, 8,000 capacity facility and improvements to food and drink facilities.
  • Marine Lake - More enhancements to this wonderful asset by sensitively developing year-round facilities for food and drink and leisure, tapping into the trend for outdoor swimming, attracting residents and visitors alike.
  • Weston town centre - Create more flexible spaces to attract independent high-quality retail and other uses. Using digital and creative design, encourage people to move around the town centre and seafront to discover some of its hidden treasures. 
  • Birnbeck Pier - This funding will be used to improve buildings at the shore end of Birnbeck Pier, bringing them back into use. This will complement the funding already attracted to improve the pier structure itself.
  • Grove Park - Improving the entrance to this beautiful town centre green space and repurposing the park’s buildings after they’ve been vacated by Weston-super-Mare Town Council.

Cllr Canniford added: "We are a council that listens and prioritises action on the things that are really important to local people. We are ambitious for Weston and North Somerset and are determined to deliver long-term investment that will make the town a great place to live, learn, work and play."

Weston’s placemaking vision is focused on the themes of living, learning and lifestyle, with plans to attract more people to live in the in the town centre creating a lively university town which will further improve the local economy.

The money is awarded from a £4.8 billion Government fund that aims to improve everyday life across the UK