A PROGRAMME in South Somerset has been given nearly £10million.

On May 19, the government awarded grants from the Future High Street Funds (FHSF) - and Yeovil received £9.75million.

Thanks to the grant, regeneration plans for part of Yeovil town centre are set to go ahead.

The FHSF grant has provided an important contribution to the Yeovil Refresh programme and it will go towards improving public spaces and development sites in the town centre.

Councillor Val Keitch, leader of South Somerset District Council (SSDC), said they are "really pleased" to have received the funding.

“When we embarked on this ambitious programme of change for Yeovil, as a council we said that we would deliver exciting projects that will bring positive and lasting change, guided by what local people want to see," she said.

"I’m really excited to be the leader of a council that will be delivering local projects for local people through funding of our own and also the FHSF.”

Earlier this year, Yeovil was set to provisionally receive the FHSF allocation money - however, the amount was not confirmed until May 19.

Jon Gamon, director for place and recovery at SSDC, said they are "committed to develop and implement a plan to revitalise the town centre" with the funding.

“Yeovil needs to adapt to the changing needs of town centres where more people want to leisure than shop because they can easily do that online," he added.

"The FHSF enables the district council to really deliver on its promises to transform Yeovil and enable it to be a place to live, work, shop, learn and visit.”

The grant funding will focus on two main areas of improvement – public spaces and development sites.

The FHSF grant will also provide funding to enable developments at the Old Cattle Market and Glovers Walk.

Both development sites are privately owned, meaning the delivery of them are out of SSDC’s control, but the funding has been allocated for specific works on the sites which will increase the chances of the sites coming forward for development in the town centre.

The Yeovil Refresh programme aims to make fundamental changes to the town centre. This is an investment from the council and a range of key organisations.

To find out more about Yeovil Refresh visit yeovilrefresh.co.uk.