Today (19 May), Historic England has announced that over 60 High Street Heritage Action Zones (HSHAZ) will receive substantial grants totalling £6 million for local arts organisations to create and deliver community-led cultural activities on their high streets over the next three years.
High Peak MP Robert Largan has welcomed the £100,000 grant for Buxton. The money will fund a sustainable programme of vibrant events and activities centred around Buxton Spring Gardens.
This is part of the four-year-long High Streets Heritage Action Zones’ Cultural Programme, led by Historic England, in partnership with Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Cultural Programme aims to make high streets more attractive, engaging, and vibrant places for people to live, work and spend time.
The funding builds on the success of a series of pilot cultural projects that have run since last August across the High Streets Heritage Action Zones. They have not only helped high streets offer cultural activity during lockdown, but also test what local people would like to see happening on their high streets.
This news comes on from last week’s confirmation that the £10million regeneration of Buxton town centre has received the green light.
Robert Largan MP commented: “I am really pleased that Buxton high street is getting this boost from Historic England. Along with the £10million planned regeneration of the town centre, this is yet another positive story for Buxton that will help our high street and create more jobs. I will keep working hard to make Buxton even better!”
Eilis Scott, acting Regional Director Historic England Midlands, said: “The high street cultural programme is a step change in the way we think about bringing high streets back from the brink in the Midlands. As we start to see these important historic spaces become regenerated through building work, it is the community-led cultural work that helps people to enjoy their high street again and also have a say in what the future of their high street might be.”
Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage MP said: "High streets are often the heart of our communities and should be places we all want to engage with and enjoy. These grants will help transform high streets into thriving cultural hubs, encouraging us to embrace all the joys our town centres have to offer."
Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Our high streets are invaluable community hubs that bring people together. We are excited that our £3 million of National Lottery funding will kickstart creative activities that will capture the heritage and spirit of our ever-changing high streets, as they recover from the COVID-19 crisis.”
