Culture secretary, Nicky Morgan has announced the locations that will benefit from a £95m heritage boost for high streets in 69 towns across the country
Increasing competition from online outlets is putting high streets across the country under growing pressure. As part of the Government’s drive to help high streets adapt to changing consumer habits, the £95m funding will provide a welcome boost that will breathe new life into historic buildings and areas in our towns and cities.
The initiative will be funded by combining £40m from the Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport’s Heritage High Street Fund with £52m from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Future High Street Fund. £3m will be provided by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support a cultural programme to engage people in the life and history of their high streets.
The investment builds on the successful Heritage Action Zones programme, run by Historic England, and will turn empty and underused buildings into creative spaces, offices, retail outlets and housing to support wider regeneration in the 69 successful areas by attracting future commercial investment.
Culture secretary Nicky Morgan, said: “Our nation’s heritage is one of our great calling cards to the world, attracting millions of visitors to beautiful historic buildings that sit at the heart of our communities.
“It is right that we ensure these buildings are preserved for future generations but it is important that we make them work for the modern world.
“This £95m will help breathe new life into high streets all over England, benefiting businesses, supporting our much-loved buildings and helping to make our communities more attractive places to live, work and visit.”
The funding will be used for a variety of projects, including:
- To complete essential repair works in historic buildings and reveal hidden and forgotten features of buildings by restoring shop-fronts and facades
- Stimulate commercial investment in high streets by demonstrating how historic sites can be successfully repurposed.
- Develop education projects and bespoke events to help reposition historic buildings as community hubs at the heart of local towns and villages.
- Help address the UK wide skills shortage of heritage professionals in expert fields like stonemasonry and conservation by providing local property owners, residents and businesses with the opportunity to train in these areas.
Chancellor of the exchequer, Sajid Javid, said: “We are doubling funding to nearly £100m to revitalise our heritage high streets, ensuring they remain at the heart of our communities for years to come.
“This will help places across the country – from South Norwood to Scarborough – protect their treasured historic buildings and support local economies to thrive.”
Historic England’s chief executive, Duncan Wilson said: “Through physical improvements and cultural activities, we will work with partners to find new ways to regenerate our high streets.
“It is a challenge, but with our experience and track record, as well as the knowledge and passion of local councils, businesses and community groups our historic high streets can be thriving social hubs once more.”
