South-east London authorities Bromley, Bexley and Greenwich will receive a combined £773,794 funding boost from the Government in a bid to help their high streets reopen safely.

Bromley will receive £295,177, Bexley £220,176 and Greenwich £258,441 as part of a new £50 million fund announced by High Streets Minister Simon Clarke on Sunday.

With Boris Johnson’s plans to reopen non-essential shops from June 15,  the new funds will help councils in England introduce a range of safety measures in a bid to kick-start local economies post-lockdown.

It will also support a range of practical safety measures including new signs, street markings and temporary barriers.

Councils will also be able to use the money to develop local marketing campaigns to explain the changes to the public and reassure them that their high streets and other commercial areas are safe.

“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,” Mr Clarke said. 

The £50 million fun comes from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.