Isle of Wight Levelling Up cash bid wins nearly £6 million

The announcement is being welcomed by the Isle of Wight MP and leading Island councillors after a £7 million bid to the Levelling Up Fund was submitted earlier this year, as the County Press previously reported.

Today's announcement has revealed that it has mostly been successful with just under £6 million being handed to the Island for the creation of an East Cowes Marine Hub and more.

Among those welcoming the news is Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely, who says it will provide high-value design and engineering jobs, and training opportunities.

Read more:

•  Council leader: 
  "Much needed skilled employment and a kick-start to East Cowes's regeneration"
• Bob Seely: "From a poor future...we’ve got a positive one, creating jobs and prosperity"

 Delighted to announce that as part of Rishi and Boris’ levelling up plans for Britain, we’ve had the Island’s levelling up bid accepted. Great news #iwnews #isleofwight #iow #budget #levellingup pic.twitter.com/izJc6xw1Ek

— Bob Seely MP (@IoWBobSeely) October 27, 2021

The original bid proposed renovating East Cowes's former Barracks building and the historic Columbine building, while also improving the Esplanade.

Having bought buildings and land at Venture Quays last year, the Isle of Wight council plans to bring more workspace online in the Columbine Building, to create more jobs and provide improved marine side infrastructure.

A wide range of refit work is also proposed for the historic barrack building, which was used in filming BritBox drama The Beast Must Die.

Along the Esplanade, a public realm project is proposed, which the Isle of Wight Council's regeneration lead, Cllr Julie Jones-Evans, said could include a dramatic new harbour viewing platform.

The Island had asked for a share of a £1.7 billion fund, created by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak and designed to regenerate town centres, high streets, upgrade local transport and invest in cultural and heritage assets.

The award has been confirmed as the Chancellor delivers Budget 21.

Read more:

• Budget 2021 speech live: Follow government’s announcement

Thank you Bob. More good news for Alliance administration dedicated to delivering for the island and proving independents can get things done 😀👏 #iwnews

— Julie Jones-Evans 💙 (@juliejonesevans) October 27, 2021

I’m allocating the first round of bids from the Levelling Up Fund – £1.7bn to invest in the infrastructure of everyday life in over 100 local areas.

With £150m in Scotland, £110m in Wales, and £50m in Northern Ireland, this will benefit the whole UK. #SpendingReview pic.twitter.com/JlTPik1BQr

— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) October 27, 2021

Reacting to the news on Twitter today (Wednesday), Cllr Jones-Evans said: "More good news."

MP Bob Seely said: "Delighted that as part of Rishi and Boris’s levelling up plans for Britain, we’ve had the Island’s levelling up bid accepted.

"Great news."

The Venture Quays building in East Cowes.

Read more:

• 'Levelling Up' is crucial for often-overlooked Isle of Wight
• 'We want £7 million to bring back maritime glory to East Cowes'
• Isle of Wight Council completes £1.3m purchase of Venture Quays sites