Enterprise M3 LEP Announces Funding to Help Prevent Covid-19 Transmission in Runnymede

Runnymede Borough Council has been awarded £9,600 towards a scheme which will help reduce the spread of Covid-19.

The Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership, which supports business growth in Hampshire and Surrey, has moved quickly to establish a Supporting Town Centres Fund designed to give confidence to shoppers and high street users.

The project, to be delivered in four weeks, will see the installation of automatic doors in the car park at the Addlestone One Shopping Centre and will help prevent the spread of Covid-19 by allowing this high-footfall area to be accessed without visitors needing to touch the doors.

Dave Axam, the Chair of Enterprise M3 said:

“I am delighted EM3 is supporting the safe re-opening of key town centres in our region; it is a testament to what can be done when partners work closely toward a common goal. This scheme is all about rolling out innovative and sustainable projects quickly in order to support town centres which have been suffering throughout this crisis.

The Covid pandemic has made us all re-think how we use town centres and projects such as this, which will inspire confidence in people to get our high streets moving safely again, are crucial to a rapid recovery.”

A Runnymede Borough Council spokesman said:

"We're pleased to be able to automate Addlestone One car park's ground floor doors, making them touch free. We are always keen to support local people with practical actions where we can, and this will give greater confidence to everyone using the multi-storey car park to visit Addlestone town centre. Automated doors will also help parents with young children and buggies and people with reduced mobility. We're grateful to the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership for funding the majority of the work necessary."

Enterprise M3 has contributed £9,600 towards a total project cost of £12,600 in Runnymede. The Supporting Town Centres Fund is a £500,000 fund utilising unallocated Local Growth Funding from central Government to identify and fund projects which can be delivered quickly to keep people safe as restrictions are eased around the region.

Ends

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The Supporting Town Centres Fund was announced by the EM3 LEP on 26th May 2020 as a rapid response to the Covid19 emergency.

The scheme is aimed at funding pilot projects that can be delivered quickly and keep people safe as restrictions begin to ease in areas high streets, commercial centres and transport hubs.

More information on the detail of the fund can be found here.

ABOUT ENTERPRISE M3 LEP (EM3):

EM3 is business-led and brings together the private, public and not-for-profit sectors in a joint endeavour to drive prosperity for the people and places in our region.

As a Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), we receive funds from government and leverage additional private sector investment in order to make strategic investments to create, nurture and sustain the right conditions for economic growth in our area.

More information on EM3 can be found at: www.enterprisem3.org.uk

Connect with us on:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/EnterpriseM3

CONTACT DETAILS:

For further information relating to this press release or about EM3, please contact:

Ryan Sutton ryan.sutton@enterprisem3.org.uk