The partnership bid involving the city council, Cambridge Business Improvement District, Fitzwilliam Museum (Enterprises) Ltd and Cambridgeshire County Council, was approved on Friday by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
As part of the Cambridge Visitor Welcome 2021 programme, funding will be invested in physical measures to improve Cambridge’s visitor offer and experience, to attract visitors back and help to support the local retail, hospitality and cultural sector recovery.
Improvements will include:
• More outdoor seating
• A mobile ‘pop up’ visitor information centre
• Digital wayfinding and signage
• Improved street furniture and outdoor lighting
Cllr Rosy Moore, Executive Councillor for Climate Change, Environment and City Centre, said: “Coronavirus has dealt a big blow to businesses in Cambridge city centre, some of which have experienced the toughest of times.
“We know this has been felt particularly by those depending on tourism from overseas and visitors who come from elsewhere in the UK.
“Investment to enhance the day and night-time economy and attract people back is a really important part of supporting the recovery of our retail, hospitality and cultural sectors and the funding secured today will help us to work with our partners to make real, tangible improvements.”
James Palmer, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “I am delighted that the Combined Authority have been able to support this project by investing £710,000 of Local Growth Funding to attract footfall back to the city centre to support the recovery of the city’s retail, hospitality and cultural sectors.
“COVID-19 has had a significant impact on Cambridge’s visitor economy and this funding will support a multi-sector partnership to support and accelerate the re-opening and recovery of the city centre.
“The Combined Authority remains committed to supporting the recovery of our local economy and this is a great example of what we can do to support the visitor economy across the region.”
The city council is providing a range of other coronavirus support measures for city centre businesses, details of which can be found here: https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/coronavirus along with information about help for vulnerable residents and those experiencing financial hardship.