Borough gets £1m for tourism, climate and business

Some of the money will be spent on promoting tourist attractions, including Tonbridge Castle
- Published
More than £1m will be pumped into regenerating a town, supporting small businesses, boosting tourism and cutting carbon emissions in a Kent borough.
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC) said it would issue just over £1.1m by the end of the 2025/26 financial year to fund ongoing and new projects.
The money is coming from a Kent-wide scheme - which sees a portion of business rates income shared among councils to invest locally.
Matt Boughton, leader of TMBC, said it was a "big win" and a "major boost" to the council's ambitions to see the benefits of economic growth across the borough.
The council says the money will be spent on:
Green business grants, by helping local businesses decarbonise through measures such as solar panels, electric vehicle charging points and energy-efficient upgrades
Tonbridge regeneration, by supporting commitments including new homes, retail and health facilities plus improved riverside access and lighting
Carbon reduction at Larkfield Leisure Centre, by investing in solar, heat pumps and other initiatives to cut emissions
Tourism promotion, including support for Tonbridge Castle and wider borough attractions.
Boughton said: "A thriving local economy is crucial to the overall success of our borough as a great place to live and work.
"That's why we've put supporting business, creating opportunities and investing in technology at the heart of our priorities."
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- Published2 February
- Published27 September 2024