THE team created for the purpose of securing the support and advice of Mary Portas for Wisbech has failed in its task - but will get a second bite of the cherry.
The Wisbech Town Team received a letter from housing minister Grant Shapps and retail guru Mary Portas informing them off their unsuccessful bid in the first round of the Portas Pilots Initiative, a Government initiative to rejuvenate troubled high streets.
After some 370 applications for the funding and tailored help, the Government has announced there will be a second round of 12 winning towns.
Wisbech Town Team will apply for the second round but said the first bid was successful in that it brought together a group of people to benefit Wisbech.
Chairman Jaqui Fairfax said: “The Portas initiative was really the catalyst that brought the Town Team together.
“In that respect, the team’s bid has been a success and although the result was obviously disappointing, we will be entering our bid into the second round of the scheme.”
Wisbech Town Team will now focus on more immediate projects including a summit for societies, clubs and groups in the town.
The winning towns announced today are: Bedford, Bedfordshire; Croydon, Greater London; Dartford, Kent; Bedminster, Bristol; Liskeard, Cornwall; Margate, Kent; Market Rasen, Lincolnshire; Nelson, Lancashire; Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland; Stockport, Greater Manchester; Stockton on Tees, Teesside and Wolverhampton, West Midlands.
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