Economic development and regeneration
UKSPF 2022-25 Final Report
July 2025
Download pdf version of UKSPF 2022-25 Final Report.
Due to the strong visual components of the pdf document it may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. A text only version is available below.
What is UKSPF?
In April 2022, the government announced the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Primarily a replacement to previous European funding, the fund’s aim was to improve regional prosperity and to overcome geographical inequalities across the country.
Wyre Forest District Council put together an investment plan in 2022 to make the case to government for funding. This plan included a wide range of community projects and support programmes alongside an expansion of our skills support for local residents.
What did Wyre Forest get?
Following our application to government, Wyre Forest District Council received just over £3 million in funding from the Department for Housing, Levelling up and Communities now known as Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government to support projects between 2022-23 and 2024-25 financial years.
The council was tasked with supporting interventions over three priorities. These are:
- Communities and Place
- Supporting Local Business
- People and Skills
This funding allowed the council to continue funding support for many key services, and to allow further collaboration with community groups to improve facilities across the district.
List of projects supported by Wyre Forest District Council
- Improvements to Stourport Community Centre – security measures and kitchen upgrade
- Destruction of derelict changing rooms at Spennells - handing over to local Scouts group
- Kidderminster BID’s ‘Town Hall on Tour’ events and promotions
- Wheelchair access and performing plinth at Kidderminster Town Hall
- The Weaving Sheds – repair of roof and repurposing of the former indoor market site in Kidderminster
- The Old Court – kitting out the recently renovated former Magistrates court with new desks, furniture and conferencing facilities
- ‘Natural Networks’ – a grant for communities to improve green spaces across the district
- St Anne’s, Bewdley – funding to support creation of a community hub and to improve the townscape and public realm in this prominent location
- Worcestershire Growth Hub – continued our support of the free business advice service for the district
- Start-up business support – a series of events to encourage and advise entrepreneurs
- Workshops and webinars – upskilling workshops on a range of topics including AI, digitalisation, intellectual property and many more
- Innovate Worcestershire – grants, advice and guidance for business innovation
- Enterprise Worcestershire – business coaching and mentoring
- Net Zero Worcestershire – grants and guidance for investing in carbon reduction and reduced energy costs
- BetaDen – business incubator and accelerator
- Visit Severn Valley – new website and marketing campaign to encourage tourism to the Severn Valley area
- Building Brighter Futures – a programme of support and mentoring to address the economically inactive residents of the district
- Careers Worcestershire - a programme to provide careers advice to young people across the district
- Skills Boost Worcestershire - grant for employers to upskill their workforce in non-mandatory subjects
- Professional Skills for the Workforce – a project that works with employers to upskill existing staffs’ digital and life skills
- Digital Skills Pathway - addresses digital skills in the community
What has been delivered for Wyre Forest?
Wyre Forest District Council successfully spent the full allocation of £3,155,009 across the projects listed above.
Project delivery partners were set targets around various outputs and outcomes linked to the activity in question. We now look deeper into where the money has been spent and what benefits this has provided for the district.
Case studies
Delivery partner
UNITY (part of Community Housing).
Objective
To work with residents who have been long term economically inactive to improve their ability to find work or support for their needs.
Results
- 32 individuals familiarised with employers expectations
- 34 individuals with increased employability through development of inter personal skills
- 24 individuals gaining a qualification or completing a course following support
Delivery partner
Worcestershire County Council.
Objective
Grant funding to address skills needs of residents within the district.
Results
- 295 residents received support to gain a vocational license
- 304 residents gaining a qualification, license or skill
- 245 people in retraining
Delivery partner
Worcestershire County Council.
Objective
To provide free, impartial advice and support to residents of Wyre Forest who are 16 to 24 years of age. Based at The Point at Kidderminster College, the service provides information, advice and guidance on a range of skills and employment opportunities. Championing apprenticeships and skills support available across the district.
Results
- 196 residents supported to gain employment
- 154 economically inactive residents now engaging with key worker support services
- 28 residents receiving support to sustain employment
- 12 residents supported to access a basic skills course
- 5 residents accessing mental and physical health support leading to employment
Delivery partner
Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership.
Objective
To provide free guidance and support to SME’s within the district. Signposting businesses to eligible grants and support programmes to encourage growth.
Results
- 216 Wyre Forest based businesses received non-financial support
- 32 potential entrepreneurs assisted to be business ready
Delivery partner
Ribbesford with Bewdley and Dowles Parochial Church Council.
Objective
Repair and maintenance of the north and south sides of St Anne’s Church. Support for the creation of a community hub within the church.
Results
Delivery partner
Wyre Forest District Council.
Objective
Following the regeneration of the former Magistrates court site by Wyre Forest District Council, a space has been provided for local businesses and entrepreneurs to grow their business to the next level.
These new facilities include a podcasting suite, 3D printer and a range of meeting rooms to host business events and private meetings.
The Old Court will host BetaDen Incubate in 2025-26 providing the district with a high-tech business accelerator.
Some photos of internal spaces at The Old Court can be seen below.
Delivery partner
Kidderminster Business Improvement District.
Objective
Following the redevelopment of Kidderminster Town Hall and Music Hall, Kidderminster BID approached the council for support to organise a range of events within Kidderminster town to attract visitors with cultural, historic and community events through 2022-25.
Results
- 250+ events and local activities supported in Kidderminster
- 8,400+ visitors attended events (estimated)
What did the projects achieve?
Communities and Place - outputs
Communities and Place - outcomes
Supporting local business - outputs
Supporting local business - outcomes
People and skills - outputs
People and skills - outcomes
Conclusion
Wyre Forest District Council has successfully spent its full 2022-25 allocation, which has allowed us to boost our activities and support our corporate strategic plan 2023-27.
The council have supported economic growth and regeneration, investing in the former Kidderminster Indoor Market site, now known as The Weaving Sheds. A covered event space to attract new events and attractions to Kidderminster Town Centre has been created.
St Anne’s Church in Bewdley has been supported to restore and maintain the north and south facing sides of the church’s exterior. Centuries of industrial and traffic based damage has been removed.
UKSPF allowed Wyre Forest District Council to support Kidderminster Town Council’s efforts to renovate the Music Hall and Town Hall, providing a grant to fund a plinth which provides wheelchair access to both buildings.
Wyre Forest District Council have helped secure financial stability for services that the district’s local communities value, such as support for Stourport Community Centre. This funded a kitchen renovation and additional security measures such as CCTV and roller shutters.
The former Magistrates court in Kidderminster, now known as The Old Court, has received funding to furnish new offices and create event space and meeting rooms. These facilities now host local entrepreneurs and provide the business community with a podcasting suite and 3D printing services.
Demolition of the dilapidated changing rooms at Spennells and gifting ownership to the local community groups.
UKSPF has enabled Wyre Forest District Council to keep the district a clean, safe and green place to live, work and visit through projects such as:
Visit Severn Valley – creation of a new brand to attract visitors to the region. Focusing on the nationally recognised name of Severn Valley, the council has worked with local attractions within and neighbouring the district.
Natural Networks – a fund aimed at community groups, providing biodiversity reviews and grant funding to rewild areas and support the expansion of green sites within the district.
Net Zero Worcestershire – through Wyre Forest District Council’s Supporting Local Business grant to Worcestershire County Council, one of the key programmes available to local businesses and community groups was the Net Zero grant programme. Net Zero Worcestershire funded 17 local companies to create decarbonisation plans, and provided grants to five businesses to install carbon neutral systems or to improve energy usage within the business’ operations.