Communities across the Borderlands are coming together for a conference to share their experiences to date on developing proposals to improve their towns and villages through locally made Place Plans. 

The Place Programme is a central part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal and will support the towns’ growth through Place and Town Investment Plans.

It brings up to £50m of funding - £20m from the Scottish Government and £30m from the UK Government - and is core to the Deals’ Improving Places theme.

In total 22 towns across the region will benefit: Alnwick, Bedlington, Bellingham, Dalton in Furness, Egremont, Eyemouth, Galashiels, Gretna, Haltwhistle, Hawick, Jedburgh, Kirkconnell, Longtown, Newbiggin, Penrith, Prudhoe, Rothbury, Stranraer, Ulverston, Whithorn, Wigton and Wigtown.

These were identified by the local authorities they are in as places that have opportunities and challenges but which had not previously received significant public investment. 

The Place Programme conference, being held on Tuesday July 30th in Gretna, will focus on using inclusive growth strategies to bring regeneration and enhance resilience.

Penrith, who have already had their Place Plans and Town Investment Plan respectively endorsed by the Borderlands Partnership Board, will also give a presentation alongside Stranraer. 

Penrith is developing projects under three themes centred on arts and culture, transport connections, and business and industry.