Launched in 2020, Historic England’s (HE) 4-year High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) programme has unlocked the potential of 67 historic high streets across England.
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… the largest ever publicly funded community-led cultural programme to date…
Historic England writes:
Launched in 2020, Historic England’s 4-year High Streets Heritage Action Zone programme has unlocked the potential of 67 historic high streets across England.
Combining investment in buildings and shop fronts with community engagement and cultural events, the programme has helped to boost pride in place, connect communities and drive economic growth.
Breathing new life into high streets
This investment has seen derelict and underused buildings restored to become new community spaces such as cinemas and market halls, with over half of the High Street Heritage Action Zones in top priority Levelling Up Areas.
To date, 571 historic buildings have been maintained, restored and brought back into use for communities and local businesses, including 255 shop fronts. Nearly 30,000 square metres of vacant, under-used or new commercial floor space is now in use.
Cultural events brought people back to high streets
The High Streets Heritage Action Zone programme of cultural events was the largest ever publicly funded community-led cultural programme to date, directly supporting regeneration in places that need it most, encouraging people to visit their local high streets, and breathing new life into them for future generations.
Three out of every four people who joined in with local events had come to the high street specially and went on to spend money locally while there.
After attending a cultural event, 80% of people felt more pride in their place and a part of their community.
Creating partnerships
The programme worked in partnership with local authorities, community trusts and more than 400 arts organisations on a wide range of projects across England. To date, over £81 million of funding delivered by Historic England has unlocked over £100 million further funding as local authorities and partners continue to celebrate and invest in their high streets. The programme has also built new connections between local organisations and communities who are continuing to collaborate with a new sense of belonging and pride.
So far, High Streets Heritage Action Zone partners have organised nearly 19,500 new cultural and community activities and 332 new school activities and events across England.
The High Streets Heritage Action Zone initiative has been funded with £40 million from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Heritage High Street Fund and £52 million from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ Future High Street Fund. A further £3 million has been provided by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support the cultural programme.
