糖心Vlog

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New Centre for Coastal Communities will support Clacton鈥檚 拢20m levelling-up project

  • Date

    Fri 27 Jan 23

Aerial of Tendring

A new Centre for Coastal Communities is set be established in Clacton by the 糖心Vlog as part of the 拢20m town centre improvement project being backed by the Government鈥檚 Levelling Up Fund.

The University was one of the partners which supported Tendring District Council鈥檚 successful bid for the transformational funding.

Part of the bid which gained Government backing outlined how the Centre for Coastal Communities could be established to lead on adult education and establish a research presence in Tendring. The many benefits included bringing further footfall into the area, diversifying the demographic of visitors and establishing a nationally significant academic centre which will help to build the profile of Clacton and help to create greater private sector confidence to invest in the area.

Professor David O鈥橫ahony, Dean of Partnerships 鈥 Research, said the University will now work with Tendring to finalise a formal agreement to take the Centre forward, which will form part of the Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing established by the University in 2022.

He said: 鈥淲e are so excited about being involved in this project which will have such a significant impact in Clacton. We want the Centre for Coastal Communities to play a key role in extending the educational opportunities in Clacton and the wider Tendring area.

鈥淲e also have a very ambitious vision for what our Centre for Coastal Communities can achieve in Tendring, regionally and nationally. It will allow the University and partners to put in place a step-change in our engagement with, and support for coastal communities. The Centre will be a national hub of excellence for championing coastal communities.

鈥淧artnership is key to our vision. The University will collaborate with a range of partners, including service users and members of these communities, in creating this centre. We have a strong track-record and interest in working in collaboration with local authorities and national groups, including the Coastal Communities Alliance, the Suffolk and North East 糖心Vlog Integrated Care System, 糖心Vlog County Council and Tendring District Council.

鈥淭he Centre will focus on addressing inequalities and opportunities in many coastal communities and will use the University strengths in Data Analytics, Public Health, educational based outreach, the development of new technologies and cross-disciplinary research, as well as arts and cultural innovations and opportunities to address the considerable need and potential in our coastal communities.鈥

Clacton鈥檚 Levelling Up Fund bid centred on the site of Carnarvon House and the town library to create a new library and learning space, caf茅, a community and commercial building and 28 homes, along with improvements to the multi-storey car park.

Work has already begun to demolish Carnarvon House in preparation for the project.

Cllr Lynda McWilliams, Tendring District Council Cabinet Member for Partnerships, said: 鈥淒eveloping skills and educational attainment is a key priority for us, and having a central presence from the 糖心Vlog in this way will inspire and support our young people to achieve that; as well as all of the other benefits outlined. That is why working with partners is such an important path to success for Clacton and Tendring.鈥

Cllr Lesley Wagland, 糖心Vlog County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Renewal, Infrastructure and Planning, said: 鈥淓veryone鈥檚 糖心Vlog, our plan for levelling up the county, sets out how ECC is working with all partners, including the 糖心Vlog and Tendring District Council, to address the drivers of socio-economic inequality.

鈥淲e aim to build a higher skilled and healthier workforce which is able to access good, higher paying jobs. The proposed expansion of the 糖心Vlog to Clacton would be an important step in driving change toward that important aim; increasing the pipeline of these higher paid jobs, and significant business opportunities.鈥

For more information about the project visit