£95 million to revive historic high streets in UK

Culture Secretary of Britain Nicky Morgan has announced the locations that will benefit from a £95 million heritage boost for high streets in 69 towns across the country.

• 69 high streets in England will be revitalised by a £95 million cash injection
• This is the biggest ever single investment by Government in the UK’s built heritage
• Projects across the country will transform disused historic buildings into shops, houses and community centres
• Funding will help traditional businesses adapt to better compete with online outlets

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 £95 million 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 £40 million from the Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport’s Heritage High Street Fund with £52 million from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Future High Street Fund. £3 million 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.