This story was written from conversations with Kim Barr, Neighbourhood Lead for Skegness and Coastal; and Lydia Rusling, Assistant Director for Economic Growth for East Lindsey District Council.

This story was written from conversations with Shahina Johnson MBE, member of the Swindon Cultural Quarter Steering Group, and Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Create Studios; Sam Rackham, Town Centre Development Project Manager at Swindon Borough Council; and Karen Phimister, Heritage Action Zone Project Officer, Swindon Borough Council.

This latest ‘Conversation’ highlights approaches to embedding carbon net zero ambitions through the Town Deal with Kate Bell, Climate Change Manager at Lincoln Council; Alex Richards, Head of Economic Development and Regeneration Services and Harry Baross, Climate Change and Carbon Reduction Officer at Scarborough Borough Council.

This story was written from conversations with Liam Kelly, Chief Executive of Make CIC, Chair of Baltic Triangle CIC and member of Birkenhead Town Deal Board; and Cathy Palmer, Regeneration Delivery Lead at Wirral Council.

This story was written from a conversation with Bryan Harrison, who is Senior Regeneration Officer and Urban Designer at North East Derbyshire District Council; Jane Wells, Project Coordinator at community arts charity Junction Arts; and artist Lucie Maycock.

This story was written from conversations with Jo Maher, Town Deal Board member and Principal and Chief Executive of Loughborough College, and Professor Chris D Rielly, Dean of the School of Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University.

Our Town Stories Conversations brings together Towns to discuss a shared topic at the heart of their Towns Fund experience.

In our first Conversation, Simon Yates, Vice Chair of the Crewe Town Deal Board and Peter Sharp, Head of Regeneration for Lewes and Eastbourne Councils discuss their experiences of bringing together their Town Deal and Future High Streets Fund to work for each of their Towns.

Simon Yates, Vice Chair of the Town Deal Board for Crewe, tells us the story of Crewe and what the Towns Fund will mean for his local community and how the Crewe’s industrial past can be recaptured through the programme.

Andrew Booth (Chief Executive Officer, Sefton Advocacy) Emma and Amelia (HND Travel and Tourism students at Southport College), and Michelle Brabner (Principal CEO Southport College) discuss the proposals brought forward for Southport as part of the Towns Fund programme, and how they see the projects turning Southport into the seaside Town of the future.

Andrew van Buren, Showman and owner of the van Buren Organisation, tells the story of Philip Astley, and plans to create an internationally recognised circus hub in Newcastle-under-Lyme as part of their Town Investment Plan.

Matt Crompton, the Chair of the Town Deal Board for Warrington, tells us the story of Warrington and what the Towns Fund will mean for his local community.

Graham Wallace talks of his passion for local waterways and how this has influenced his roles as chairman of Runcorn Lock Restoration Society and Runcorn Town Deal Board member.

Rachel Yates has dedicated her time to inspiring her home town of Penzance to address the climate crisis. She tells her story of her journey to leading Sustainable Penzance and joining the Town Deal Board for Penzance, with her passion for protecting people and planet is at the heart of her work.

Jay Baso, a local business owner, is the driving force behind a successful co-delivery approach between the business community in Wednesfield and the City of Wolverhampton Council, creating a positive outlook in the Town and rebuilding trust.

Creativity is rising in Lowestoft as the people behind the drive to embed culture at the heart of the Town Investment Plan are brimming with positivity and a deeply collaborative spirit.

Raising the voices of young people in Newark, with Tom Cartledge, Co-Chair of Newark Town Deal Board and CEO of Handley House recognising that children are the future of the Town.

“Get out there, speak to people and start connecting people; but stop thinking like a traditional local authority,” says Michelle Sacks in advice to other Towns who want to galvanise the opportunities presented by the Towns Fund programme.

Blackpool has held the crown for this country’s leading seaside resort for almost 150 years. By the mid-1800s it was a popular health resort. Blackpool’s first illuminations, unveiled in 1879, established the town as the home of visitor attractions, British seaside glitz and frivolous fun.