Millions of pounds have been been granted to North West councils to support high streets in getting back to business safely post lockdown.
It's part of a £50m English funding package aimed at helping 'non-essential' retailers such as fashion and homeware stores to reopen from next month.
The Reopening High Streets Safely Fund will allow councils in England to introduce a range of practical safety measures including new signs, street markings and temporary barriers.
The funding will also support public spaces like beachfronts and promenades and councils will be able to use this money to develop local marketing campaigns to explain the changes to the public.
The funding includes £488,628 for Manchester, £443,129 for Liverpool, £230,071 for Salford, £125,813 for Preston, £253,140 for Bolton and £210,672 for Trafford.
The Government has announced non-essential retail can recommence trading in a phased way from next month. PM Boris Johnsonm yesterday gave an update saying car showrooms and outdoor markets can reopen on June 1 and other outlets such as book shops, fashion stores and indoor markets from June 15
High streets minister Simon Clarke MP said: "As we begin to slowly return to normality, the reopening of our high streets will be key to kick-starting our economic recovery.
"Levelling up the regions and supporting our high streets has always been central to the mission of this Government.
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"Many businesses have already introduced creative ways of trading such as contactless collection or taking orders by instant messaging and this shows they are ready for the challenges ahead.
"That's why we are providing an extra £50 million for councils to support a range of safety measures that will help get these businesses back on track and ensure that people can enjoy their time visiting their local high street safely again."
The funding comes from the European Regional Development Fund the Government is making available to councils to support businesses to re-open safely.
The money will be allocated to councils on a per capita basis and will be ready to spend from June 1.
The fund is in addition to the £3.2 billion package of support announced for councils to help them deal with the immediate pressures caused by the coronavirus lockdown.