The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. The UKSPF Cheshire East allocation is circa £12.4M, with a further circa £1.5M allocation specifically for Adult Numeracy programme (Multiply). The funding was fully spent by March 2025.
With input from a range of local stakeholders, the Council developed an Investment Plan for the UKSPF allocation, setting out objectives for the funding and anticipated outputs and outcomes. A separate plan was also developed for the Multiply element.
Linked documents:
Transition Year (2025-26) Funding
Cheshire East Council was allocated £3,790,237 under the Core UKSPF for 2025-2026 which includes a minimum of £699,797 for capital expenditure. The Council has completed the processes to accept this funding with the initial allocation outlined as follows:
Initial fund allocation across priority areas
- £151,067: Fund Management and Administration
- £1,771,000: Communities and Place Initiatives
- £1,302,000: Supporting Local Business Initiatives
- £566,170: People and Skills Interventions
Projects live from April 2025
Four projects, with a total value of £1,866,170 (£1,100,000 Capital and £766,170 Revenue), were approved and delivery started on 1st April 2025:
- Crewe Meanwhile – Royal Arcade (£1,000,000): A temporary green space with grassed areas, planting, seating, and safe lighting, revitalising Crewe’s town centre.
- Macclesfield Market Hall Refurbishment (£500,000): Enhancing this community space for residents and visitors while improving sustainability.
- Employment Support for Economically Inactive People (£566,170): Providing job-focused support leading to paid and voluntary employment outcomes.
- Cheshire East Business Support Hub (£100,000): A digital hub offering guidance, mentoring, and tools for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Projects live by end of May 2025
The following eleven projects were added to the transition year programme in May, after formal approval:
Communities and Place projects
Opening times for Queens Park
| Intervention type and project name | Amount |
|---|
|
E1 Re-roofing of Knutsford Market Hall
Following an internal refurbishment completed in March 2025, this project will further support the sustainability of the building as a place for small business by re-roofing the main roof.
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£90,000 |
|
E7 Accessible pathways: Connecting Communities to Green Spaces
The project will deliver upgrades to existing paths within country park sites in Cheshire East. These enhancements will include path surfacing and barrier re-design to increase the accessibility of the routes to more people.
|
£40,000 |
|
E9 Enabling Prosperity and Wellbeing in Cheshire East Fund
This grant scheme is intending to strengthen understanding of the 2025/26 Cheshire East plan for the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector providing them with opportunities to apply for funding to contribute towards the plan’s aims and deliverables.
|
£110,000 |
|
E11 Growing Our Communities
This project will use the commissioned providers who form part of the Council’s strategic approach to grow the VCFSE market, to meet existing and emerging needs.
|
£90,000 |
|
E15 Digital Community Facilities Fund
This Project will deliver digital infrastructure to community spaces, including but not limited to: Wi-Fi networks for internal and/or external use, digitally connective based security/premise monitoring equipment, IT hardware and digitally connected AV equipment, specialised IT hardware/software suitable for use by people with special requirements and broadband connectivity.
|
£70,000 |
Supporting Local Businesses priority
Intervention type and project name
| Intervention type and project name | Amount |
|---|
|
E19 Cheshire East Research and Development Productivity Improvement Programme (CERDPIP)
CERDPIP will, through inspiring yet practical workshops, provide learning and 1:1 support, introduce thought leadership concepts of how research and development and technological advancement can improve productivity and enable greater sustainable growth, using technologies such as Digital Thread, AI, robotics and design concepts, etc.
|
£142,500 |
|
E23 Cheshire East Business Vitality - "Empowering growth, driving innovation"
The project will continue supporting and fostering a thriving business ecosystem within Cheshire East, by providing comprehensive support for businesses at all stages of development, building resilience and ensuring the health, vibrancy, and success of businesses within the Cheshire East region.
|
£66,770 |
|
E24 Cheshire East Business Accelerator
This project is the continuation of an existing UKSPF funded project successfully delivered under E24 which can now be mapped to the Support for Businesses mission theme UKSPF Outputs and Outcomes (2025-26) sub theme Business Sites and Premises.
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£125,000 |
|
E29 Cheshire East Business Growth Programme
The Business Growth Programme is a growth enhancing activity intended to provide a mix of financial (grant) and non-financial (business support) assistance to help businesses develop growth plans, which identify opportunities for sustainable growth.
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£350,000 |
|
E30 The Pledge Partnership
The Pledge supports business growth by promoting collaboration and sharing expertise, resources and best practice. They help employers to inform and inspire the careers and progression of their future workforce, by helping to build their capacity to connect with schools/colleges and young people.
|
£76,998 |
|
E30 Employer Engagement
The project will use direct employer-engagement activities to help link up unemployed people looking for work in Cheshire East on Universal Credit, or those on disability benefits that are out of work.
|
£70,000 |
Future allocations
An open call process is currently underway to identify and select project(s) worth £231,732. See our Cheshire East UKSPF 2025-26: Open Call to apply.
Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF)
Cheshire East has also received an allocation of £248,242 under the REPF, exclusively for capital expenditure. The relevant processes to accept and delegate the management of the funds are underway, project identification is also progressing well.
Completed projects as at end of March 2025
- Flourish Fund, UKSPF Provided grants of up to £5,000 to Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations. This initiative supported healthier households by enabling people to remain well at home.
- Improved, Greener, Community Facilities Fund, Delivered grants of up to £15,000 to improve community facilities and buildings, focusing on energy efficiency and carbon reduction.
- Lyceum Square Upgrade, Crewe: Transformed Lyceum Square into a vibrant community and cultural event space, enhancing engagement in Crewe Town Centre.
- Flag Lane Cycle Way, Crewe: Installed a contraflow cycleway on national cycleway NCN451, improving safety and accessibility for cyclists.
- Black Lane Cycle Way, Macclesfield: Upgraded part of the Middlewood Way NCN55 route, enhancing pedestrian and cyclist journeys into Macclesfield Town Centre.
- Community Cost of Living Response Grant: Offered grants of up to £10,000 to VCFSE organisations, reducing the cost of living impacts on Cheshire East's most vulnerable residents.
- Feasibility Studies: Conducted studies on potential regeneration projects across various town centres.
- Warmer, Greener Community Buildings: Supported community buildings to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions through detailed decarbonisation plans and grants for energy efficiency measures.
- Macc on Foot: Enhanced the pedestrianised area in Macclesfield with greening, decluttered street furniture, and improved lighting, encouraging walking and cycling.
- Macclesfield Indoor Market Refurbishment: Revitalised Macclesfield Market into a hub for independent retail and local entrepreneurs, with visual improvements and a focus on sustainability.
- Mill Street Corridor - Station Link, Crewe: Improved connectivity between Crewe Rail Station and the Town Centre through enhanced shared paths, crossings, and bus facilities.
- Knutsford Market Hall Renovation: Modernised Knutsford Market Hall, creating an environmentally friendly space and reversing its decline.
- Macclesfield Museum on the Street: Installed trail information boards showcasing Macclesfield's history, art, and character, enhancing the visitor experience.
- Park Lane – Ayrshire Way, Congleton Improvements: Filled gaps in pedestrian and cycling routes near Congleton Railway Station, improving safety and accessibility.
- A538 Waters Roundabout Crossing, Wilmslow: Created a parallel pedestrian and cyclist crossing, completing a vital connection in the Wilmslow-Manchester Airport route.
- Cheshire East Creative Champions: Established volunteer groups to support creative activities, events, and community engagement in two towns.
- Cultural Step Change, Crewe: Delivered cultural programmes and events targeting young people and families, fostering long-term benefits and establishing a Cultural Partnership for Crewe.
- Visit Knutsford Campaign and Tourism Strategy: Developed the "Visit Knutsford" brand, website, and social media presence while creating a tourism strategy to boost local revenue.
- Totally Congleton: Revitalised Congleton Town Centre through cultural and heritage events, fostering pride and supporting local businesses.
- Crewe Town Centre Arts Development and Trail: Built community capacity for cultural delivery and created an engaging arts trail in Crewe Town Centre.
- Flexible Work Space project: Converted underutilised town centre properties into flexible workspaces through substantial grants of up to £100,000.
- Online SME Support Hub: Established an online support hub providing tools, resources, and mentorship for local businesses.
- Business Accelerator Programme: Delivered business advice, workshops, and mentorship, helping businesses start up and scale.
- Sustainable Inclusive Growth project: Offered a mix of financial grants and non-financial support to help businesses create sustainable and inclusive growth plans.
- Temporary Employer Engagement project: Addressed recruitment challenges by connecting employers with cohorts of individuals seeking employment.
- Cheshire East Research and Development Productivity Improvement Programme (CERDPIP): Supported businesses in adopting R&D and technological advancements, improving productivity and resilience through workshops and tailored learning.
- CS3 Cheshire East Business Support Initiative: Enabled businesses of all sizes to grow and innovate through workshops and masterclasses delivered collaboratively by the area's Chambers.
- The Pledge Partnership: Fostered employer engagement with schools and colleges to inspire young people and connect them with local opportunities, promoting careers and skills development.
- Cheshire East Business Vitality - "Empowering Growth, Driving Innovation": Created a thriving business ecosystem by providing tailored advice and fostering innovation.
- Support for Long-Term Unemployed: Helped economically inactive individuals across Cheshire East access employment support and job opportunities.
- Courses for Economically Inactive Individuals: Delivered training in basic, life, and career skills to aid personal and professional growth.
- Local Digital Skills Training: Increased digital inclusion across Cheshire East by offering essential digital skills training.
Rural SPF (REPF) projects completed by end of March 2025
- Rural Capital grants for investment in capacity building and infrastructure support for local civil society and community groups
- Rural Capital grants for small scale investment in micro and small enterprises
- Rural Capital grants for the development and promotion of the visitor economy
- Rural Capital grants for existing cultural, historic and heritage institutions
- Rural Capital grants for investment and support for digital infrastructure
Frequently Asked Questions
The UKSPF is a government-funded programme designed to support local priorities and contribute to reducing disparities across the UK. It focuses on boosting productivity, innovation, and inclusive economic growth while delivering on community-led solutions.
The UKSPF supports projects in three key areas:
- Communities and Place: Initiatives that create stronger, more cohesive communities and enhance public spaces.
- Supporting Local Businesses: Projects that foster innovation, sustainable growth, and resilience in businesses.
- People and Skills: Programmes that help individuals gain essential skills and access employment opportunities.
The REPF complements the UKSPF by specifically targeting rural areas with funding to support capital projects that improve productivity and create jobs. Cheshire East has received an allocation of £248,242 under the REPF for 2025/2026 financial year.
Cheshire East has successfully delivered numerous projects by March 2025, including:
- Upgrades to community facilities and cycleways
- Feasibility studies for regeneration
- Cultural programmes and local business support
- Skills training for economically inactive individuals
A complete list of delivered projects can be found in the "Completed Projects" section of this webpage.
Cheshire East Council has received £3,790,237 for the transition year, with a minimum of £699,797 dedicated to capital expenditure. The funds are allocated across Communities and Place, Supporting Local Businesses, and People and Skills priority areas.
Several projects are already live as of April 2025, while others are undergoing formal approval. An open call process will allocate additional funds to specific initiatives, with further updates shared on this webpage.
Stakeholders and potential applicants are encouraged to participate in the open call process for funding opportunities. Details about how to apply will be published here when the process begins.
The Director of Growth and Enterprise at Cheshire East Council is responsible for managing the UKSPF funds, ensuring alignment with fund parameters and local priorities.
While challenges such as late announcements can affect timelines, Cheshire East Council is actively working to mitigate risks and ensure smooth delivery of projects.
All updates about funding allocations, project deliveries, and future opportunities will be published on this webpage.