In 2020, the government opened applications for a new Towns Fund, designed to give areas across the UK the chance to invest in projects that would benefit their local communities. In October, Blackpool was one of the first 7 towns to receive a funding amount, or ‘Town Deal’ and received £39.5m, the highest amount received by any town in the first round.
What is the Multiversity?
The Blackpool ‘Multiversity‘ campus is a unique proposal – a brand new university campus that will improve education both locally and regionally. Through co-created courses with local employers and Lancaster University, it will support skills growth in Lancashire in an iconic, carbon neutral building based in the heart of the town centre.
Delivered in conjunction with Blackpool and The Fylde College and Lancaster University, it will:
- increase the range of local skills that are suited to local employment needs
- help over 1,000 new learners into education gain qualifications
- improve the percentage of working-age population with qualifications
It will also bring hundreds of students into the town centre, supporting local businesses and boosting the economy.
The facility will be used to deliver higher education and degree level studies, to local residents as well as students from out of the area. It will provide a state of the art learning environment, making higher education in Blackpool a more attractive option.
How will the Town Deal funding contribute to the Multiversity scheme?
The Town Deal funding will will support the initial development phases of the scheme. The funding is a small but crucial part of the overall funding of between £80m and £100m to deliver the whole scheme, with the rest provided by a range of sources.
How will this project benefit the local area?
The Multiversity, when up and running will:
- Increase the choice and quality of skills in the local area
- Assist over 1,000 new learners
- Improve the percentage of working-age people locally with higher level qualifications
- Increase the capacity for higher education and further learning locally
- Improve people’s perceptions of Blackpool as a highly skilled town to help attract more investment and jobs
- Increase working with businesses to provide skills that support work opportunities
You can have your say now on the projects proposed for the Towns Fund by commenting and reacting through the website below. The Town Deal team will also be reaching out to interested groups and organisations to hold more detailed discussions.
https://blackpooltownsfund.commonplace.is/
You can also read more about the Town Deal on Blackpool Council’s website and for more information on the wider regeneration projects already taking place in Blackpool, or to register for free updates, visit www.blackpool.gov.uk/BetterBlackpool.
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