BUSINESS leaders are celebrating after receiving £10,000 to help revitalise the town.

Housing Minister Mark Smith MP confirmed this week that Dartmouth Business Forum had been accepted as town team partners by the Government and will receive a support package from the Association of Town Centre Management.

The package includes a number of measures to generate business in the town, including shared learning with the help of retail experts and £10,000 towards establishing the town as a Business Improvement District.

The partnership comes after South Hams MP Dr Sarah Wollaston wrote to the Government in support of the team's application for backing.

Paul Reach, chairman of the business forum, is delighted with the cash.

He said: 'As a result of the funding we now have enough to employ a consultant and look at the viability of Dartmouth as a BID.

'The town team is meeting next week for its annual general meeting and after that we will choose a consultant, ready to get the ball rolling and plans under way in mid November. We will also put together a five-year plan for the town, maybe even look at branding it with a specific logo.

'Dartmouth has a lot to celebrate and at the moment it just isn't being utilised properly.

'As a result, we're going to look at lots of marketing methods, including ways of highlighting the town's rich heritage.

'We are really grateful to Sarah for her work to help secure the funding and we are looking forward to putting everything in place.'

Dr Wollaston said: 'I am delighted to hear that the Dartmouth Business Forum, under the leadership of Paul Reach, has been signed up to the Government's Town Team Partnership and will receive £10,000.

'The funding provided by the Government will be used to support the process of setting Dartmouth up as a Business Improvement District.

'The Dartmouth Business Forum will be able to develop a stronger community by employing a more focussed team approach among new and existing businesses and residents.

'As well as funding, the forum will also have access to a network of advisers and retail experts.

'I look forward to working closely with the forum and supporting them in their efforts to retain our vibrant town centre while striving to achieve greater business survival rates and reducing the number of empty shops.'

The £10,000 from the Government will be added to the £31,500 already in place from previous Section106 planning and local council funding to employ a consultant.

The team is anticipating a final instalment of £9,500 from the National Lottery to help its BID action plan.