WINCANTON missed out in the latest round of money from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

Plans to provide ‘co-working and cultural spaces’ in the town were part of a bid jointly submitted by Sedgemoor and Mendip district councils.

Refurbishing Frome Enterprise Centre was also part of the bid, as well as schemes in Wells and beyond.

However, the plan missed out as more than 100 projects received a share of £2.1 billion from the scheme – including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s constituency of Richmond in Yorkshire, which received £19 million of funding, prompting claims of favouritism from opposition parties.

Cllr Sarah Dyke, who is the portfolio Holder for environment at South Somerset District Council and chair of the Wincanton Town Centre Regeneration Board, said: “Wincanton is of huge strategic importance to the South East of the county and I, alongside my colleagues, am committed to regenerating our communities and town centres.

“As such, I will continue to stand up for the economic and social wellbeing of Wincanton.

“The Levelling Up Fund 2 bid would have provided funding for 100 sq m of co-working and 100 sq m of museum and event space, in Wincanton town centre.

“The enterprise, innovation, business collaboration opportunities, plus footfall generated, would have also positively impacted the High Street and retailers.

“Together this would have helped to rejuvenate Wincanton bringing vitality and viability to the town centre, businesses and community.”

Cllr Ros Wyke, leader of Mendip District Council, added: “This was a bid for Levelling Up – which is so needed for Somerset.

“We applied for funding, in good faith, because we are a priority area, and are formally recognised by DHLUC as such.

“As a lower-wage economy, these schemes would have been truly transformative. They would have supported our infrastructure, businesses and our communities. The lives of people will have been improved.

“That is why this news is so frustrating and very disappointing.”

In Dorset, the only scheme to receive funding was the Weymouth Waterside Regeneration project, which was handed more than £19m.

In North Somerset, a scheme to regenerate Weston super Mare received almost £20m.

The Prime Minister said: “Through greater investment in local areas, we can grow the economy, create good jobs and spread opportunity everywhere.

“That’s why we are backing more than 100 projects with new transformational funding to level up local communities across the United Kingdom.

“By reaching even more parts of the country than before, we will build a future of optimism and pride in people’s lives and the places they call home.”