L-R: James Thomas from POPRS receives a £3,000 cheque from John Punch from Walsall Business Support
Walsall Business Support has awarded the Preservation of Pelsall Remembrance Service community association a £3,000 grant to help fund a lighting project that hopes to attract more visitors to businesses in the village of Pelsall.
The Preservation of Pelsall Remembrance Service (POPRS) is a local organisation that was set up in 2016 to protect the service of remembrance in Pelsall village.
Wanting to invest further in the local community of Pelsall, the association has set up a project to install LED lighting to bring the central village area alive with colour at key points throughout the year.
The areas lit up will include the cenotaph, the clock at the centre of the village, the memorial garden behind it and trees along the high street. A lights switch-on is planned for March.
The grant will go towards the purchase and installation of permanent bespoke lighting to illuminate the environment of Pelsall.
POPRS co-lead and chair James Thomas commented: “We are very grateful to receive this grant from Walsall Business Support to help fund our Lighting Up Pelsall project.
“At key times during the year, colourful light displays will brighten the village and bring communities together to celebrate national and cultural events. For example, we will use yellow for Easter, red for Remembrance Day, white for Diwali and multicolour lighting for Christmas.
“Lighting up Pelsall will provide a focal point for the community and help us to attract more visitors to the historic centre. We already have people from all over the Midlands visiting Pelsall for our annual Remembrance Day display, so we hope that this lighting project will increase footfall around the high street and our shops, which will be good for local businesses.”
Formed by leading local business figures to distribute funds collected from the legacy of Walsall Chamber of Commerce, Walsall Business Support provides grants to applicants who want funding for projects to enhance business life in the borough.
Walsall Business Support board member John Punch said: “Our grants are aimed at organisations looking to bring growth, skills and employment to the borough of Walsall, with the aim of benefitting as many local people as possible.
“This project is one that the whole community of Pelsall can enjoy, particularly in the dark months of winter. It will also bring people into Pelsall from across Walsall and beyond, which will be beneficial for local businesses wanting to attract new customers.
“Lighting up the village will generate a further sense of pride in the local area and create more opportunities for the community to come together, socialise and celebrate events.”
Walsall Business Support can provide grants and a free training needs analysis to businesses looking to generate growth, create employment or shape training opportunities for the borough of Walsall. Using an online application form on the WBS website, bids for financial support can be submitted by businesses needing investment in a new project or a company wanting to improve skills.
For more information, please visit walsallbusinesssupport.co.uk.
