UK 'seaside ghost town' full of abandoned shops gets £20m to sort out high street

A "ghost town" is set for a £20 million investment aimed at rejuvenating its high street, pubs, and parks. The funding is part of the Government's Pride in Place scheme, designed to transform neglected areas and make them more attractive places to live.

Residents of Sheerness, the largest town on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, have endured years of boarded-up shops, anti-social behavior, gangs, and derelict streets, prompting many to say the town has been "forgotten" by authorities. Families have reported avoiding certain areas for fear of crime, with some claiming "there's little to be cheerful about".

The town's struggles are compounded by infrastructure issues. A section of Sheerness High Street was closed on October 20 for urgent water repairs by Southern Water, with the closure expected to last until October 31.

Traffic diversions affected local bus services, though partial reopening has since allowed normal operations to resume. Nearby Winstanley Road is also undergoing sewer repairs.

Despite its picturesque seaside setting, life in Sheerness is challenging for many residents.

Liane Winchester, who has lived on the island for eight years, said: "It's got beautiful sunrises and beautiful sunsets. Other than that, there's little to be cheerful about. People think 'Oh the seaside! It's going to be nice,' but it's neither."

While England's coastal towns attract over 270 million visits annually, generating nearly £14 billion in tourism, locals often face a starkly different reality.

The Office for National Statistics' Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) ranks all neighbourhoods in Sheerness among the most disadvantaged in the country, with average annual incomes falling 31 percent below the national average, at £29,900.

Winchester recounted the hardships she has witnessed: "I've seen people so desperate they steal food from Aldi, not luxury items, literally food. It's heartbreaking."

She added that petty theft, while once more limited, has surged amid the cost-of-living crisis, forcing shops to install security tags on shopping baskets.

The £20 million Pride in Place funding is expected to breathe new life into Sheerness, addressing the run-down high street, local pubs, and public parks.

The funding, drawn from the Government's £5 billion Pride in Place Programme, is one of 169 areas across the UK to be selected for long-term support.

According to Swale Borough Council, the investment is intended to fund projects that local people want to see, such as creating new green spaces, improving public areas, and boosting local businesses.

In addition to the long-term funding, Swale will also receive an immediate share of £150 million in capital funding, which can be used to kick-start public space upgrades.

Councillor Tim Gibson, Leader of Swale Borough Council, said: "This is fantastic news that gives us a golden opportunity to deliver real, positive change for our communities.

"We've already shown the community impact we can deliver with the Government-funded Sheerness Revival project well underway, and the success of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund benefitting communities all across the borough.

"We are committed to making sure that this funding is used to support projects that will make a real difference to local people.

"We'll be finding out more about the programme in the coming weeks, and we'll be thinking about how we can make sure local people are at the heart of how this money is invested in their communities."