Shoebury and Thurrock to benefit from new government funding

The towns will receive the investment as part of the £5 billion Pride in Place programme, unveiled by Prime Minister Keir Starmer today.

This promises to put residents in charge of regenerating their communities by reviving high streets, parks and public spaces.

Across the East of England region, 17 neighbourhoods will share in the funding, with 11 areas — including Shoebury — receiving up to £20 million each over the next decade.

Basildon has secured a record-breaking £40million over the next 10 years while Thurrock will gain an immediate £1.5 million from the Pride in Place Impact Fund to improve public spaces.

Residents in the area will have the final say on how the money is spent, whether that be restoring community halls, reviving high streets, or creating new parks and play areas.

The government says the initiative is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to hand decision-making power back to communities.

Bayo Alaba, MP for Southend East and Rochford, welcomed the announcement and described it as a long-awaited recognition of Shoebury's potential.

He said: "For too long Shoebury has been overlooked and I’m so glad that the Government has listened and is starting to put this right.

"This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for an area so rich in history and culture.

"I’ll sit on the board and from the get-go, I want to work with the community to make sure that every single pound of this £20 million goes to the things that matter most to people."

The Prime Minister said the programme would back “the true patriots that build our communities up”, while Chancellor Rachel Reeves stressed the initiative would cut through bureaucracy by giving people in the area direct control of investment.

Sir Keir said: "or too long, people have watched their towns and streets decline – powerless to stop boarded-up shops and neglected parks. That ends now.

"We’re investing in Britain’s future, by backing the true patriots that build our communities up in neighbourhoods across every corner of the country. Because it’s people who bring pride, hope and life to our communities."