A regeneration scheme at Carbis Bay is one of over fifty projects across the UK awarded a share of £27.7 million of funding, to help create jobs and new apprenticeships.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Rt Hon Danny Alexander and Communities Secretary Rt Hon Eric Pickles have announced a multi-million pound package for projects in coastal towns across the country, including areas affected by the recent floods, as part of the UK government’s long-term economic plan.

In Cornwall, £525,000 has been awarded to support the Carbis Bay Regeneration Project which will create a multi-use venue with a water-sports centre, conference and wedding venue, restaurant, new training facilities and community hub, and generate over 65 new jobs.

Stephen Baker, project manager and owner of the Carbis Bay Hotel & Spa said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded the Coastal Communities Fund grant. This financial support is crucial in helping us to deliver our flagship regeneration project and support sustainable economic growth in Carbis Bay.

The beachfront regeneration project will benefit the local community, help support the local economy, and reduce the seasonality of tourism in West Cornwall.”

The Ministers also announced that bidding for the next round of the Coastal Communities Fund was now open and that bids on coastal flood protection and repair would be prioritised. The fund will support £64 million of projects across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland over the next three years.

The Coastal Communities Fund was created to direct regeneration investment to seaside towns and villages to help rebalance their local economies, reduce unemployment and create new work opportunities for young people from the local area.

The fund has already supported more than 100 projects in the first two years delivering over 4,000 jobs and over 1,000 apprenticeships. This takes the expected total, including today’s projects, to over 6,500 jobs and 2,000 apprenticeships.

Danny Alexander said: “The Coastal Communities Fund allows us to help communities across the UK to rebuild and regenerate their local economy, with projects this year supporting nearly 4000 jobs and 1000 training places.

“This is even more important given the extreme weather and I’m very pleased we’re giving £17 million of the fund to projects in areas hit by floods. Additionally, we have invested £5 million from the fund’s reserve into the government’s programme for flood recovery.

“The Coastal Communities Fund is supporting some of the most fragile communities. It is a great way to make sure that people living around our coastline can share in the benefits of the increased returns for the Crown Estate’s marine activities.”

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: “We want to help our seaside towns affected by the recent flooding get back on their feet as soon as possible. In England, nearly three-quarters of these regeneration projects funded today are in flood affected areas and our support will help these communities show they are ‘back in business’.

“The next round of the Coastal Communities Fund is now open and we will be prioritising bids on coastal flood protection and repair. This government is committed to supporting the regeneration of our seaside towns and part of that is taking decisive action to help communities and businesses affected by the floods.”