Great Yarmouth to benefit from share of £95m heritage boost for high streets

Great Yarmouth Borough Council has been successful in its bid to the national High Streets Heritage Action Zone scheme, which will help support the council's important work to revitalise the town centre.

Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan today announced a £95 million heritage boost for high streets in 69 towns across the country. Projects across the country will transform disused historic buildings into shops, houses and community centres.

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.

The selected projects will now work with Historic England to develop plans to revive their high street over a four year programme.

Cllr Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said "Great Yarmouth has an incredibly rich and varied heritage which is evident in its historic buildings and cultural traditions. The announcement of a Heritage Action Zone for Great Yarmouth town centre is very welcome and will provide the resource and focus to help us preserve and celebrate our heritage.

"The Heritage Action Zone will bring together partners, stakeholders and the community in a collaborative approach to achieve the repair, enhancement and to enable a better understanding of the historic centre of Great Yarmouth."  

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 £95 million 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."

Communities Secretary of State Robert Jenrick said: "I want to make sure the nation's high streets continue to be at the heart of local communities.

"Today's funding, part of the £3.6 billion we have committed to helping towns across the country, will revitalise much-loved historic buildings, helping to reverse the decline of our town centres.

"Ensuring that prosperity and opportunities are available to everyone in this country, not just those in our biggest cities, is a priority of this Government in our mission to 'level up' the regions."

Historic England's Chief Executive, Duncan Wilson said: "Our high streets are the beating hearts of our communities. Many have roots that go back hundreds of years. Their historic buildings and distinctive character tell the story of how our towns and cities have changed over time. They are places where people come together to socialise, shop, run businesses and be part of their local community, but now they face an uncertain future.

"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."

Tony Calladine, Regional Director for Historic England in the East of England, said: "It's fantastic news for the local people, residents and businesses of Great Yarmouth that they will receive much needed funding to help support and revitalise their historic High Streets. Historic England is looking forward to working with local authorities, communities and stakeholders on this exciting project to help regenerate historic high streets, and we are hopeful for the future prospects of Great Yarmouth."

Released by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 14/09/19