HATFIELD will find out this weekend whether it has been successful in its bid to become a Portas Pilot town and won a share of £1m.
The long-awaited announcement will be made on Saturday by Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps, who is the Government’s lead on Mary Portas’ plans to revive the country’s high streets.
A total of 12 UK towns will be chosen from more than 300 applicants. Each winning town will get a share of a £1m pot to improve their shopping districts - roughly £100,000 each.
Mr Shapps revealed the date of the announcement via Twitter earlier today, saying: “Addressed three All Party Parliamentary Groups this pm to let them know I’ve now selected the first 12 Portas Pilots. Announcement on Sat!”
Hatfield’s bid – supported by the WHT’s own Back The Bid campaign – includes plans to revamp the town’s market, build a permanent performance stage in White Lion Square and turn Hatfield into a wifi hotspot.
Even if the bid not succussful this time, a second round of pilots has already been announced.
We’ll be bringing you the results of the Portas Pilot announcement as soon as it is made, so keep checking back to www.whtimes24.co.uk this Saturday to see if Hatfield has won.