Copper Consultancy has been appointed to provide communications and engagement support for the Towns Fund delivery programme, as part of an Arup-led consortium.

The government scheme, run by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), will invest £3.6 billion in over 100 towns across England, as part of the government’s commitment to level up UK regions through boosting long-term economic and productivity growth.

The Towns Fund will deliver wide-ranging benefits to social and cultural infrastructure, such as improvements to transport, town centres and broadband connectivity. Investing in UK towns will enhance the area for people to live, work and visit by contributing to the increase in jobs and skills across local communities

Copper will draw on experience of delivering high profile place-making projects, to provide specialised, informative and engaging communications to communities that will support the development of the scheme, alongside partners Arup, Nichols, FutureGov, Grant Thornton and Savills.

James Gore, Director of Economic Development at Copper Consultancy, said: “We are very proud and excited to add this work to our growing portfolio of economic development projects, which are more important than ever before, as the country not only progresses its Brexit commitments, but also seeks to take steps towards the recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re looking forward to working with our consortium partnership and MHCLG to help build stronger relationships with communities and allow towns across the country to thrive as the plans develop.”