Selby hoping for share of shops cash (From York Press)

Selby hoping for share of shops cash

9:30am Friday 10th February 2012 in News By Dan Bean, dan.bean@thepress.co.uk

Selby’S main street could benefit from an £85,000 boost under a new Government scheme involving businesswoman Mary Portas.

Members of Selby’s Chamber of Commerce are to apply for the town to become a “Portas Pilot” in a move which, if successful, could see an influx of cash to improve Gowthorpe for residents and businesses.

The scheme follow’s businesswoman and television presenter Mary Portas’s review of town centres for the Government and has offered shares in £1 million to 12 towns across the country to help turn around “their unloved and unused high streets”.

The application relies on a team of volunteer residents from the town which could include the MP, councillors or members of the public coming together to help direct the project.

David Fieldsend, chairman of the chamber, said the scheme would be good for the town.

He said: “I think if we could do something it would be great. We need to come up with some decent ideas and are open to suggestions to what we could do with that kind of money. The money would have to be spent in the high street.”

Already the town has benefited from the distribution of free wifi which so far is available along the length of Gowthorpe and is hoped to extend to Selby park by the summer.

It is hoped this scheme which has already been taken advantage of by thousands of people, would count in the town’s favour when the application is considered.

Mr Fieldsend said: “I think it would be good for morale. It would be good for the town.”

Anybody interested in submitting ideas of becoming a member of the town team should email info@selbychamber.co.uk or speak to project coordinator Richard Schofield at Heaven And Home.