"Surprised and very welcome" - that's the reaction from the Leader of the Isle of Wight Council to news that East Cowes is to get £5.8 million in support from the Government.
The significant 'Levelling Up' funding package supports a wider suite of projects centred on East Cowes Waterfront that seeks to create a new marine hub for the Island.
Council Leader, Lora Peacey-Wilcox, said:
“East Cowes has long been a centre for the marine industry, so famously connected with the heritage of the Island, and this investment will help secure much needed skilled employment as well as providing a kick-start to the next stage of the wider regeneration of the town.”
It includes improvements to the landmark Columbine building, protecting and growing marine jobs, renovation of the historic Victorian barracks building to expand the marine skills training and education provided by local group UKSA, as well as improvements to the public realm at Albany Green that will generate an enhanced entrance to the historic East Cowes Esplanade.
Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Business Development said:
“This funding success demonstrates the value of all stakeholders working together to secure what’s best for the Island, the efforts of our MP in making a case to government, the town council for backing the bid and the businesses whose innovation in supporting the bid will deliver much needed opportunities for Island youngsters.
"This package will future-proof the resilience and growth of a high-value, innovation-intensive marine engineering hub, creating jobs and boosting productivity.”
Councillor Karl Love, local member for East Cowes, commented:
“Our Community ambitions and ideas for East Cowes has been at the centre of developing this successful funding package, and as ward councillor and a local town councillor I’m particularly pleased that this success demonstrates what can be achieved when we all work together.
"East Cowes Town council gave its full support to this bid. I look forward to working with the Town Council, IWC regeneration team and local people to make the most of this excellent opportunity for the people of East Cowes and the Island as a whole.”
Cllr Michael Paler, Mayor for East Cowes Town Council, said:
“East Cowes is really pleased to have worked with the Isle of Wight council on the development of this bid and the community are very excited to see the improvements it will bring.”
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