Great Yarmouth Borough Council launches heritage grants for enhancing buildings and shopfronts in historic town centre

The new High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ), led by Great Yarmouth Borough Council in partnership with Historic England, involves local people and local partners in repairing, conserving and building a better understanding of the area's historic buildings and sites.

As part of this wide programme, the council has allocated £250,000 for a scheme of small grants supporting shopfront improvements and building repairs to properties within the HSHAZ area, which covers the Market Place, the Rows and the northern end of King Street.

Building owners, or tenants with support of their landlord, can apply for grants of up to £10,000 in value towards eligible building repairs, up to a maximum of 75% of total costs, or shopfront improvements up to a maximum 80% of total costs.

All works must be directly related to conservation or improvements that will protect the heritage value of the building and wider HSHAZ area. Eligible works include:

• Reinstatement of traditional shopfronts
• Conversion of vacant floorspace for retail or residential use
• Repair and reinstatement of architectural details and features to the façade of buildings
• Temporary building works, works to roofs and roof structures, leadworks, gutter repairs and rainwater disposal, repairs to external walls, windows and doors
• Repair or replacement of external features, damp management, and structural work to help achieve these improvements

Cllr Carl Smith, the council leader, said: "This exciting grant scheme supports and incentivises building owners and occupiers to invest in works that secure lasting improvements to historic buildings and the public realm, including reinstating lost historic features, details and shopfronts.

"We hope to see lots of well thought-out applications for eligible works that will protect and preserve our rich built heritage, while supporting regeneration, investment and new opportunities for business and the wider economy as we move into recovery."

Bernard Williamson, chairman of Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust, said: "The High Street Heritage Action Zone is helping to harness and enhance key historic buildings and heritage to help revitalise the town centre, involving the local community and other partners.

"The grants scheme is a fantastic opportunity for building owners and occupiers, as custodians of much of our unique built heritage, to access targeted financial support to play a full role in that revitalisation and unlock benefits and opportunities for their own businesses."

Tony Calladine, Regional Director for Historic England in the East of England said: "I'm delighted to see the launch of the heritage grants for the restoration and enhancement of historic buildings and shop fronts in the Great Yarmouth High Street Heritage Action Zone. Given the serious problems our historic high streets are currently facing, this is a fantastic opportunity for buildings to be given a new lease of life and to once again become an integral part of community life."

Grants cannot cover building services, substitute materials, conjectural reinstatement, maintenance or minor repairs or work that has already started. Before starting work, applicants must have obtained the relevant permissions, including any planning permission required. 

For more information about eligible works or to submit an expression of interest to make an application, please contact Lou Robson, HSHAZ Project Manager, lou.robson@great-yarmouth.gov.uk. Information about the application process is also available at www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/gyhaz. #HistoricHighStreets #GYHAZ