Sharp Investment in Great Yarmouth
PR 176
10 May 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Owners of run-down buildings near Great Yarmouth seafront are being invited to an open day to see how they can claim grants of up to 60 per cent to renovate their properties.
The SHARP (Secondary Holiday Area Regeneration Project) initiative has brought £4.42 million into the town as part of a joint project between Great Yarmouth Borough Council and the tourism industry to lift the standard of properties in Wellesley and Paget Roads
It is anticipated that the scheme will also attract in £2 million of private funding.
On Tuesday May 16 an open day is planned when property owners, or people interested in investing in the area will be able to meet Council members and officers as well as representatives from the tourist industry to see how the scheme can benefit them.
SHARP will see money used to encourage landlords and owner occupiers to renovate properties in a part of the town which offers holiday accommodation.
The aim is provide grants to help property owners bring the interiors of buildings up to a decent standard to provide the kind of accommodation which will attract people looking to rent or buy private homes.
It will also offer grants to bring empty properties back into use.
Money will also be allocated to renovate the exteriors of the buildings and the streetscape.
“SHARP extends the normal area the housing needs department works in,” said Mark Burns, Head of Housing Needs and Welfare Services, “which is to tackle the causes of housing need such as disrepair.
“We are now able to help private landlords to invest in their properties to encourage investment and breathe new life into an area which is also important to the tourism industry.
“We appreciate that people involved in the holiday trade want adjoining properties, and the area, to attract visitors. We have worked with the tourism board to create a scheme which should help us all.”
The open day is to be held at the Hazlehurst Hotel, Norfolk Square, from 11am to 6pm.
Enquiries can be made on the Council’s hotline 01493 846518 or by emailing
sharp@great-yarmouth.gov.uk.
For further information call Mark Burns, Head of Housing Needs and Welfare Services on 01493 8464450, or Penny Dimond, Manager Housing and Social Policy on 01493 846527.The Press and media are invited to the open day to join the SHARP team – Councillors, tourism board members and officers at 12 noon to share a sandwich and a chat. We will also do our best to introduce you to people interested in the scheme.
Photo opportunities will be available as a surveyor will be on site carrying out the first property surveys.
Issued by:
Liz Dann
Press Officer
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
01493 846513