Cheshire East Council is to receive more than £339,533 from the government to help it support the recovery of high streets, including in Congleton.

A new £50 million fund for councils to support their local high streets get safely back to business was announced today (May 24) by High Streets Minister Simon Clarke.

Cheshire East is set to receive £339,533, which will help it introduce a range of safety measures in a move to kick-start local economies, get people back to work and customers back to the shops, when scientific evidence allows.

It will also support a range of practical safety measures including new signs, street markings and temporary barriers.

Councils will also be able to use this money to develop local marketing campaigns to explain the changes to the public and reassure them that their high streets and other commercial areas are safe.

It is the government's ambition to reopen non-essential retail in a phased way from June 1, subject to the scientific advice. The government says it will set out further detail on how and when these can reopen safely shortly.

Mr Clarke said: "As we begin to slowly return to normality, the re-opening our high streets will be key to kick-starting our economic recovery.

"Levelling up the regions and supporting our high streets has always been central to the mission of this government.

"Many businesses have already introduced creative ways of trading such as contactless collection or taking orders by instant messaging and shows that they are ready for the challenges ahead.

"That's why we are providing an extra £50 million for councils to support a range of safety measures that will help get these businesses back on track and ensure that people can enjoy their time visiting their local high street safely again."

The £50 million funding comes from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) that the government is making available to councils to support businesses to re-open safely following guidance published on May 13 to help adapt urban centres and green spaces for social distancing during the pandemic.

The money has been allocated to councils on a per capita basis and will be ready to spend from June 1 2020.

The government has published Covid-secure guidelines for people work in or run shops, branches, and stores.

This guidance supports shops that are currently open, such as supermarkets and pharmacies, but will also be useful for those in non-essential retail to consider now for when they are allowed to open.