Over 300 towns have signed up to become Town Team Partners after the Government invited MPs to apply for their towns to join the scheme.
The Town Team Partners will be given support from a Government-sponsored fund to help them get their plans for their high streets started. They will also have access to a package of support, which includes an advice line and a network of advisers managed by the Association of Town Centre Management and an online knowledge bank with advice and support from experts.
The Government will also host national events where Town Teams can meet and learn from each other and get support from industry experts and trade bodies. A 'crowdfunding' scheme has also been launched, which will provide a way for the Town Teams to raise small amounts of finance for their work from local investors.
"There's a real hunger in town centres across the country for them to be revitalised and remain attractive places to visit," said Prisk. "I'm delighted that from today over 300 Town Team Partners will begin to receive a package of support that helps them breathe new life into their high streets."
"No one's pretending that there's a silver bullet for improving the performance of our town centres. With this new support, and the opportunity to learn from each other, Town Teams can channel their energy and enthusiasm into promoting a more exciting and competitive offer on our high-streets, and help them thrive for years to come," Prisk said.
The Town Team Partners scheme was launched by the Government to provide towns that missed out on its Portas Pilot scheme with support to help improve their town centres.
"Having witnessed the overwhelming response from over 400 towns to our search for Portas Pilots, I'm determined that the energy and enthusiasm they displayed is not lost, and that every area has the opportunity to breathe new life into their high streets," said former Housing Minister Grant Shapps in August.
