Heritage restoration programme successfully regenerates historic towns

A heritage programme worth £6m has helped to revive old historic towns requiring a boost in business, tourism and investment.

Public cultural body Historic England has funded 10 Heritage Action Zone projects since 2016/17, leading to an additional £60m in investment, in an effort to level up old, forgotten areas.

The scheme has helped to regenerate 77 historic buildings, remove 13 buildings from the Heritage at Risk Register and brought back 8,400 sq m of commercial floor space back into use.

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, said: ‘Heritage Action Zones bring value to places, revive communities and help to engage people in learning more about their local heritage. Over the past five years, working with local councils and partners, this scheme has helped spread prosperity and opportunity to historic places in England that were in need of a boost.

‘Old and familiar places that are rich in heritage and full of promise have been invigorated to make them more attractive to residents, businesses, tourists and investors. This has been done through joint-working, grant funding and sharing Historic England’s skills and knowledge. Heritage is a powerful tool for delivering economic and social benefits and has an important role to play in levelling up. We look forward to continuing to create opportunities for local communities through our remaining Heritage Action Zone programmes.’

The Heritage Action Zones completed include Appleby, Coventry, Elsecar, Hull, King’s Lynn, Nottingham, Ramsgate, Sunderland, Sutton and Weston-super-Mare.

In Sunderland two Grade II listed buildings were renovated with new independent shops taking residence, as well as the creation of a music and culture venue, Pop Recs.

The scheme has also led to more housing and job opportunities, as the Birkin Building at Nottingham’s Lace Market has been converted into office space for creative industries.

100 community projects are thought to have benefited and 540 community engagement volunteers have been trained up to connect residents with their local heritage.

The regeneration programme has also improved conservation areas, launched school heritage podcasts and film projects and helped to showcase exhibitions on local history.

10 further Heritage Action Zones are being developed and Historic England is working with local authorities to regenerate 60 high streets.

Photo by Charlie Green