The ‘overlooked’ UK market town yet to receive any of £20m cash it was promised

The Tory Goverment announced last year that dozens of “overlooked” towns would receive millions to help bring their high streets back to life.

The towns would each get £20million put “in the hands of local people” over ten years, according to then-PM Rishi Sunak.

Dumfries in Scotland was one such town, now locals say they’re being told to “hurry up and wait” and are yet to see any of the money.

Businessman Richie Nicoll was selected to chair the committee which would oversee spending the levelling-up funds.

He told the BBC he is proud of what they have done in the last six months: “We’ve done a lot of the engagement – as per the government guidelines – I think we were just short of 2,000 people.”

From local views, the committee produced a report of what could be done in the town which was also submitted to meet a government deadline in August.

“We have moved into a hurry up and wait situation,” he admitted. “We are literally just waiting on feedback from the government which is a tad frustrating considering the urgency that we have had to work to.”

Richie said the town was assured the funding was ring-fenced regardless government changes over its 10-year time frame.

“I’m clinging onto that and I’m hoping that it’s just a delay as the new government align their budget,” he said. “I’m bracing myself for the worst – but trying to stay optimistic.”

In Dumfries, the funding was going to be used to help clean up the town centre and make it feel safer to entice more businesses and employ local apprentices.

Richi has urged other Dumfries locals not to lose hope: “Stick with us and stay positive. We’re as frustrated as anybody else, we’ve done a heck of a lot of work.

“The team that I’ve got on the town board, they’ve done a cracking amount of work getting to where we needed to be. We’re batting against the wind sometimes, but we’ll get there.”

The government is “assessing the challenge” of a “£22billion in-year black hole” it inherited from the Tories, with plans due to be announced next month.

“A decision on this funding will now be made following the Spending Review process,” said a spokesperson. “We recognise this is challenging and will seek to provide clarity as soon as possible.

“This is about being honest with people and being respectful of taxpayers’ money, not making promises we can’t keep.”