The last tranche totaling £335m will be used to repurpose empty shops on high streets, create new public spaces, transform a riverfront area into a community hub with entertainment and leisure venues and create a new digital enterprise and learning centre.

The latest awards mean all 101 places that were invited to develop proposals have gained Town Deal funding.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “As we build back better from the pandemic, we are transforming our high streets across the UK into the kind of vibrant places we will want to visit, work and call home for generations to come.

“This strategy sets out a vision for entrepreneurship to thrive, where local shops and businesses are supported with permanent al fresco dining, derelict eyesores transformed into quality homes and new hubs for business and entertainment encouraged.”

Details of some key awards

• £23m to boost the leisure and tourism sector in Crewe by regenerating the swimming baths, repurposing empty shops on the high street and creating new public spaces.
• £20m to place the river Thames at the heart of the community in Grays, through transforming the riverfront area into a community hub with entertainment and leisure venues
• £21mto attract visitors to Millom by highlighting the history and heritage of the town with a new “Iron Line” project at the historic Hodbarrow Reserve, creating a fully accessible new park fusing ecology, heritage and art.
• £18m to create a new public square in Todmorden to increase community space and highlight the towns green credentials, along with building a five-star eco hostel and setting up a digital enterprise and learning centre.