Culture Secretary James Purnell today announced a £45m investment aimed at stimulating wider improvements and economic benefits.

The programme will see £15m invested in heritage and culture each year from 2008 – 2011.

CABE will be responsible for identifying projects - such as historic high streets and public spaces, galleries or concert halls - where investment in the cultural and heritage infrastructure will help bring life back to run-down seaside resort.

CABE will seek additional financial support for successful projects from both public and private sector investors, further stimulating improvements to the local environment and economy. The Big Lottery Fund, which already invests millions in seaside towns, will be an important partner. CABE will also work with the Regional Development Agencies, English Heritage, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and Arts Council England.

Mr Purnell said:
"England's coastal resorts are a much-loved part of our heritage, but it's a sad fact that many have been in decline in recent decades.

"We know that public investment in cultural projects and public spaces can give a huge kick-start to local regeneration. It can unlock additional funding to help restore decaying infrastructure and act as a catalyst to stimulate economic growth. By increasing opportunity and enhancing the local environment it can significantly improve the quality of life for residents.

"This £45 million fund will be targeted where it can make a real difference, investing in projects with distinct cultural or heritage merit in seaside resorts blighted by deprivation. And some of our finest, historical coastal resorts will be given a new lease of life."

Richard Simmons, CABE chief executive, said:
"This is a chance for British seaside resorts to recapture the flair and importance they held in the Victorian age. There are already some wonderful examples of good design and cultural investment breathing life back into our coastal towns - just think of Heatherwick's East Beach Cafe in Littlehampton, or Cleveleys in Lancashire where even coastal protection defences can be made beautiful enough to attract more visitors."

Money will be made available to projects of different sizes, and it is intended that alongside a small number of major schemes, smaller projects around the coast will be funded each year.

Department for Culture Media and Sport is working with the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) who are leading a review of cross-Government work to identify what more may be done to address the specific issues affecting coastal towns. CLG is also developing a Regeneration Framework to identify the kind of places, such as some coastal towns, where regeneration activity might best be focused.