THE Chancellor hopes that nearly £13 million in funding will bring the "buzz" back to a town that has been neglected for years.

Rishi Sunak toured Newhaven this morning pushing his "levelling up" scheme which aims to bring jobs and more economic activity to dozens of struggling towns across the country.

Braving the cold snap, the Chancellor surprised staff at West Quay Fisheries in Riverside North with a visit before buying a turbot for dinner and travelling back to London to try a "new recipe".

More than £19 million in funding for Newhaven was also signed off in December in a separate Town Deal, to deliver a transport network that will improve connectivity to the town and create new opportunities for people across Sussex.

Speaking during his visit, Mr Sunak said: "Having more economic activity happen in a place is a good thing for future prospects of young people, so they don't have to leave.

"We want people to grow up in their home and stay there and have a fantastic future economically.

"Fishing is an important part of the local economy here and because of the investment that is going in we are going to expand the capacity of the fishing fleet, their ability to land more catches and the ability to process and sell more.

"Because of the Towns Funds Investment and things like the Bistro [a new cafe near the port], you get the buzz back into a place.

The Argus: Rishi Sunak toured Newhaven this morning pushing his "levelling up" schemeRishi Sunak toured Newhaven this morning pushing his "levelling up" scheme

"It revitalises the community and gives people an enormous sense of pride."

Newhaven was one of the final 15 towns to have funding signed off the last year.

The Argus also understands money will go towards opening the University Technical College building by the port for use by the community, improving park facilities for young people, improving the entrance for cars into Newhaven Port, installing a 3G Astroturf for the football team which will help create a sports academy in town and improve the business park to increase jobs and investment.

Another five million from the Future High Streets Fund, which is separate to the £19 million Town Deal fund, will go into Newhaven town centre.

And a further £13 million, which will go to the West Quay as part of the levelling up fund, will improve the fishing stages, fish processing facility and fish restaurant.

Mr Sunak added: "That money is going to go and revitalise this community, which has got a proud maritime heritage, but we have to make sure the future is bright and optimistic."