Posted on June 25, 2019

High streets are important places but with increased competition from online and out of town retail, town centres are experiencing a period of change. Property owners (like retailers) need to be aware and flexible to changes in both consumer and business preferences.

There has been a great deal of publicity around our declining high streets.  In October 2018, the government responded by introducing the Future High Streets Fund. The application process for this is currently ongoing. Historic England have now introduced a new £44 million fund and are looking to work with partners to find ways to revive high streets through their High Streets Heritage Action Zones scheme.

About the scheme and how to apply

The scheme is an extension of Historic England’s Heritage Action Zone initiative, and will be a four-year programme of physical improvements, community engagement and cultural activities to regenerate England’s struggling historic high streets and town centres nationwide.

Historic England is now inviting ‘Expressions of Interest’ in what is the first step of a two-phase selection process:

• Stage One: Expression of Interest – must be submitted by 12:00 noon on 12^th July 2019 to HighStreets@HistoricEngland.org.uk
• Stage Two: Programme Design

The ‘Expression of Interest’ stage is the only competitive phase of the selection process. Successful applicants will be invited to develop a full programme design  which will be focused on how the vision set out in the expression of interest will be delivered.

The application form and guidance notes including details on how applications will be assessed can be found here.

How can AspinallVerdi help?

AspinallVerdi are Chartered Surveyors and Town Planners with specific knowledge and experience of regeneration and refurbishment of Listed Buildings. We bring together a broad range of planning and development services into one fully integrated property regeneration practice. We have extensive experience of working on Heritage Lottery Fund Townscape projects either securing funding or reviewing applications. We also regularly provide property market and viability advice in relation to town centre regeneration projects for both public and private sector clients. We therefore have access to market databases such as CoStar and Estates Gazette Interactive.

If you are interested in exploring this funding opportunity and would like to discuss your application with one of our colleagues, please contact info@aspinallverdi.co.uk