£2.6 billion will be shared across the UK to invest in new projects.
The fund aims to:
- improve people's pride in the places they live and work,
- increase life chances by supporting local businesses, people and skills, and
- invest in communities and spaces.
The UKSPF 2022 to 2025 programme finished in March 2025. From April 2025 this was followed by a new one-year programme. The funding allocation of £400,289 must be used on local projects by 31 March 2026.
Our project delivery plan for 2025 to 2026 falls within three UKSPF priorities:
- Community and Place
- Supporting Local Business and
- People and Skills.
Within these, we have identified a range of UKSPF projects that have been allocated funding.
You can find out more about the UK Shared Prosperity Fund or email us with any questions or for more information.
| Project name | Project description | Project main sub-theme and secondary sub-theme | Outputs (OP) and outcomes (OC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| City and town centre strategies including scoping and feasibility work for Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay. |
This project will focus on two areas: 1) Develop city and town centre strategies for Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable. To support new draft Local Plan delivery, which will also plan for development of new homes, commercial space and public realm regeneration as well as complementary non-planning activities. It will assess and test different options by reaching and engaging with local residents and stakeholders who will help to shape these plans. 2) Scope out the feasibility of ‘quick win’ or ‘high priority’ interventions from the strategies which give site and costs analysis and supporting cases. These may focus on potential projects in designated Local Plan ‘Regeneration Opportunity Areas’. For both pieces of work we will get external support such as consultancy to help deliver them. |
Communities and place:
Healthy, safe and inclusive communities:
|
OP28: Number of feasibility studies developed as a result of support OC30: The number of projects arising from funded feasibility studies OP 12: Number of local events or activities supported OP17: Number of people reached OC18: Improved engagement numbers |
| Wayfinding enhancements in Herne Bay and Whitstable |
This programme will invest into tired and often degraded local visitor infrastructure. It will review and audit Herne Bay and Whitstable’s network of town centre pedestrian routes and cycle paths. Capital improvements into wayfinding infrastructure will be carried out where needed. Whitstable will be audited this year with enhancements to follow in 2026 to 2027. |
Communities and place:
|
OP2: Amount of blue space created or improved OP3: Amount of public realm improved OP5: Number of amenities improved OP7: Length of improved cycle and foot paths OP28: Number of feasibility studies developed OC2: Increased use of cycleways or foot paths OC30: Number of projects arising from funded feasibility studies |
| Business growth and support activities in Whitstable and Herne Bay |
For this activity we will work alongside the Canterbury BID, such as Visit Canterbury, to help local businesses attract more residents and visitors to our district. A key focus will be the coastal towns including times of lower demand and out of season. As well as providing marketing and social media assistance, support may also include shop local campaigns and or trader customer incentive or loyalty related schemes. These will also promote activities, attractions and places of interest. We will work with local businesses and Visit Canterbury members. |
Communities and place
Supporting local business
|
OP10: Number of firms receiving non-financial support OP12: Number of local events or activities supported OP17: Number of people reached OP11: Number of potential entrepreneurs assisted to be enterprise ready OC5: Increased visitor numbers OP10: Number of firms receiving non-finance support OP12: Number of local events or activities supported OP17: Number of people reached OC11: Number of firms adopting new or improved products or services |
| Inward investment for Choose Canterbury |
Choose Canterbury is an inward investment initiative continuing from the 2024 to 2025 UKSPF programme. It is being delivered by Locate in Kent. Plans for 2025 to 2026 include themed campaigns for hotel investment, hybrid working and coworking, town centres, local academia and industry collaboration. This will create a pipeline of local hotel investment opportunity sites. The project will also support other UKSPF funded work such as market testing and identifying potential routes to investors. To track outcomes, Locate in Kent will offer investment enquiry and lead support for clients. |
Supporting local business:
|
OP10: Number of firms receiving support OP12: Number of local events or activities supported OP17: Number of people reached OC3: Number of vacant units filled OC8: Jobs created OC10: Number of new firms created OC13: Number of firms engaged in new markets |
| Recycling initiatives | This project will support increased recycling in the coastal towns over the busy spring and summer period. This project will continue from the 2022 to 2025 UKSPF programme. |
Communities and Place:
|
OP2: Amount of green or blue space improved OP3: Amount of public realm improved OP17: Number of people reached OC27: Estimated carbon dioxide equivalent reductions |
| Management, administration and project support | To use for resources supporting collection of health check data such as pedestrian footfall in Whitstable and Herne Bay town centres. |
Get involved with the Canterbury funded initiatives
Canterbury District Business Growth Programme work with local businesses that have high growth.
Choose Canterbury - If your business is local, you can be part of a new programme to help promote Canterbury district to new investors while showcasing what your business offers. Email ukspf@canterbury.gov.uk to get involved.
