Over the past year, Fylde Council has delivered an ambitious programme of investment in our communities, businesses and residents, made possible through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). This programme, which ran from April 2025 to September 2026, channelled £857,692 of government funding into the projects and initiatives that matter most to residents and businesses across the Fylde borough.
From transforming St Annes town centre and bringing brand-new events to our communities, to helping local businesses grow and supporting residents into work and training, the UKSPF programme has left a lasting legacy across every corner of the borough.
Explore the themes below the discover the full story of what our community has achieved together.
Communities and Place
St Annes Improvements
One of the most visible legacies of the UKSPF programme is the transformation of St Annes town centre. UKSPF investment helped deliver the completion of Phase 1 of the St Annes Masterplan, marketing a milestone in a long-term ambition to regenerate the Square as the heart of the town and celebrate its proud 150-year heritage.
Building on this success, work began in February 2026 on the Pier Link and Garden Street improvements – two critical projects that have enhanced connectivity and created an attractive public realm, making St Annes an even more welcoming destination for residents and visitors.
Together, these projects represent a one-in-a-generation investment for the fabric of our town centre.
Supporting the Visitor Economy
Fylde has long been a destination that people love to visit, and UKSPF investment has helped us raise the bar even further. The fund supported a vibrant calendar of new events designed to bring footfall to our town centres and celebrate what makes our communities so special. The inaugural Ashton Gardens Christmas Markets transformed a beloved green space into a magical festive destination, while Fylde Fest: In the Square brought the community together for a joyful celebration of local life in St Annes Square.
In March 2026, Fylde Fest: Spring into Life returned to fill St Annes Square with colour, creativity and community spirit once again. Complementing this events programme, the ever-popular Fylde Ice Festival returned for a fourth year, drawing visitors from across the region to Lytham for a spectacular Valentine’s Day celebration that captured the imagination of families and created a real buzz around our coastline.
Shop Local Scheme
Supporting independent businesses and encouraging residents to shop locally was at the heart of the UKSPF programme, and our Shop Local loyalty scheme delivered exactly that. The scheme rewarded residents for shopping in Kirkham, Lytham and St Annes town centres, helping to drive footfall to independent retailers and put more money into the pockets of local business owners.
Over the course of the programme, hundreds of residents participated in regular prize draws, winning vouchers while discovering the brilliant range of independent shops, cafes and businesses that make our town centres unique.
The St Annes scheme was brought to a close following the final draw in May 2026, leaving behind a community more connected to its local high street than ever before, while the Kirkham and Lytham schemes continue under local business group ownership.
Footfall Monitoring
The impact of UKSPF investment on Fylde’s town centres isn’t just felt – it’s measurable. Throughout the programme, we tracked footfall across our key retail destinations, and the results speak for themselves. St Annes and Lytham ranked first and second in the North West for footfall performance in April 2025, an extraordinary achievement that underlines just how vibrant and well-loved our town centres are.
St Annes also recorded its strongest August footfall figures in years, demonstrating the lasting impact of the events, public realm improvements and business support delivered through the programme. These figures give us real confidence that UKSPF investment has made a genuine, lasting difference to the health of our high streets.
Supporting Local Businesses
The Small Business Academy
Fylde’s business community is brimming with talent, ambition and potential, and UKSPF investment helped us unlock it. Through a contract with The Small Business Academy, Fylde Council provided hundreds of local businesses with access to free, expert-led workshops, coaching and support programmes tailored to the specific challenges facing small businesses on the Fylde Coast.
From start-ups finding their feet to established businesses looking to grow, the programme offered practical, hands-on support that helped business owners build confidence, develop new skills and seize new opportunities. The results were remarkable: businesses across the borough reported tangible improvements in their performance, resilience and ambitions for the future.
This investment in Fylde’s entrepreneurial spirit has helped create a stronger, more dynamic local economy that benefits everyone.
People and Skills
Fylde’s Apprenticeship Project
Giving young people the skills and opportunities they need to build fulfilling careers locally is one of the most important investments we can make, and the Council-backed Apprenticeship Project did just that. UKSPF funding supported a dedicated programme delivered by AFC Fylde Community Foundation, connecting young people across Fylde with quality apprenticeship opportunities, helping them gain industry-recognised qualifications and real-world experience right here on the Fylde Coast.
By working with local employers to create these pathways, the programme not only transformed the futures of the young people who took part, but also helped local businesses attract talented, motivated young workers. This is investment that benefits our whole community – keeping talent local and building a skilled workforce that Fylde’s economy can depend on.
Work Readiness
For residents who face barriers to employment, having the right support at the right time can be life-changing. UKSPF funding enabled Fylde Council to partner with AFC Fylde Community Foundation to deliver a pioneering work readiness programme, targeting young people and residents who were not in employment, education or training (NEET).
The results have been outstanding: the programme placed 11 residents into jobs in its early months, went on to deliver 118 positive outcomes for Fylde residents in just three months, and ultimately helped transform the futures of hundreds of people across the borough.
By combining the Community Foundation’s expertise, local connections and trusted relationships with young people, this programme reached those who need help most and have them the confidence, skills and opportunities to move forward.
Multily – Free Numeracy Skills for Adults
Numeracy skills are at the heart of everyday life, from managing household finances to progressing in the workplace, yet many adults lack the confidence with numbers they need to thrive. Through the Multiply programme, delivered in partnership with Blackpool & the Fylde College, UKSPF funding gave Fylde residents free access to friendly, informal numeracy courses designed to build confidence and open new doors.
The response from the community was fantastic, with residents of all ages and backgrounds taking part and reporting real improvements in their everyday lives and employment prospects.
Whether it was the parent who gained the confidence to help their children with homework, or the job-seeker who unlocked a new career path, every participant’s story is a testament to the difference this investment has made.
