The “Bedford – Welcome Back” campaign has been developed to support residents and visitors returning to Bedford’s town centre and visitor areas.

The funding for these activities, allocated by the government as part of the response to assist economic recovery from Covid-19, comes from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and aims to support the high street and tourist attractions in welcoming back shoppers and visitors.

Bedford could receive up to £201,500 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.

Activities

Investments in the town under the scheme will continue until the end of March 2022. They include:

• Seasonal planting to enliven public spaces
• Improved bins to reduce litter
• New benches
• New lighting for the Corn Exchange
• Publicity and markings to encourage hygiene and safety, limiting  prevent further Covid-19 spread
• Investment in CCTV