Stretford Town Centre Partnership Town Team has been successful in its bid to become a Town Team Partner, securing £10,000 and a package of support from the Association of Town Centre Management.

This funding will be used to develop activities to promote the use of the town centre, provide diversionary activities and skills development for young people in the area as well as intergenerational work in partnership with Gorse Hill Studios, Trafford Housing Trust, Trafford College, community safety partners, local businesses, schools and groups.

Terry O'Brien, Chairman of the Stretford Town Centre Partnership said, "We are really pleased to have secured this funding as we have had some very positive feedback and ideas about the project and offers of assistance to help get it off the ground. The support and advice from other towns will also be invaluable in helping our Town Team move forward."

Leader of Trafford Council, Cllr Matt Colledge, said: "I am delighted that this bid was successful as it will help to get an important project up and running. As a council, we are committed to supporting our local town centres and there is a lot of work going on to encourage people to shop local and enjoy what is on their doorstep. We can't do this alone, however, and schemes like this really help to support the ambitions of local people and businesses who are so enthusiastic about the revitalisation of their town centre."

Town Team Partners can access, through the Association of Town Centre Management, examples of best practice and shared learning from retail experts and other town teams to support them in the work they are carrying out.

The bid that was made by Stretford Town Centre Partnership was supported by local MP Kate Green. She said: "The Government received 326 applications to become a Town Team Partner so Stretford's success is impressive. There has been great teamwork to achieve this result, and I'm delighted the local community and businesses will enable the local Town Centre Partnership to realise some much needed improvements in the area."