Sutton town centre is set to see a raft of improvements after the council was granted £11.3 million by the government to spend on its high street.

The money was granted as part of the Future High Streets Fund, which saw Sutton listed as one of only 15 councils to receive the full amount it bid for.

Cllr David Bartolucci, Cllr for Sutton Central ward and Vice Chair of the Housing Economy and Business Committee on Sutton Council said: “I am really pleased that we are one of only 15 places in the country to receive all the money we bid for.

“This means the Lib Dem run Sutton council can continue its ambitious programme to reinvent our high street for the 21st Century. I want to thank the council officers, local businesses and others in our community who worked so hard to put this successful bid together.”

The money is set to be used to provide 60,000 sq. ft of new or refurbished commercial space, as well as bringing 14 vacant buildings back into use and providing 235 new homes as part of a regeneration programme.

Your Local Guardian: Sutton civic centreSutton civic centre

The council will also use the funding to pay for improvements to the high street experience for residents and for projects such as “Make in Sutton”, which will provide workspace for local entrepreneurs and creative industries.

The government’s communities secretary, Robert Jenrick, said: “The year ahead will be a big one for the high street as it seeks to recover, adapt and evolve as a result of the pandemic.

“Today’s £830 million investment from the Future High Streets Fund is one of many ways the government is working to help our much-loved town centres get through this and prosper into the future.

“The role of high street has always evolved. We want to support that change and make sure that they are the beating heart of their local community – with high quality housing and leisure in addition to shops and restaurants.

“This investment will help us build back better and make town centres a more attractive place to live, work and visit.”