Historic buildings in two key Leicester city centre streets are to get a £1.5 million facelift.
Granby Street and Church Gate are getting the slice of funding from Historic England as part of a national High Street Heritage Action Zone programme.
Both streets boast some impressive buildings but at the same time both also have a number of ugly shop fronts detracting from the view.
Property owners and businesses will be invited to apply for grants from Leicester City Council to support work to repair building fronts, reinstate lost architectural features and help bring empty upper-floor space back into use.
The scheme will run alongside the city council’s planned £1.25 million investment in public realm improvements, which includes the pedestrianisation of part of Church Gate – which runs from the city’s Clock Tower to St Margaret’s Bus Station.
Work on that project is already underway in the city centre, with work currently taking place around the Clock Tower square. That work is expected to continue until about July 2021.
The new funding will also support research into the history of the two streets and key buildings, the development of heritage skills apprenticeships with local businesses, and free architectural advice for property owners.
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “These important and popular shopping streets are rich in architectural heritage and home to some truly remarkable buildings.
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“I am delighted that Historic England has now confirmed it generous funding.
“We can now begin work with property owners and businesses to help improve shop fronts, preserve the architectural history and celebrate the unique character of these streets.
“We have seen how this approach can be a catalyst to transform parts of the city through the successful Greyfriars Townscape Heritage Initiative.
“This has helped attract millions of pounds of private investment into the city’s historic Old Town and helped make the area a jewel in the city’s crown.
“We have an excellent record of working with Historic England and this latest funding will complement major investment we are making in transforming the street scene and creating a much more attractive and safer environment for shoppers and visitors in these historic streets.”
Leicester businesses will be invited to bid for funding from the scheme from late-Autumn, and details will be publicised nearer the time.
Leicester is one of 12 areas in the East Midlands to successfully bid for a share of funding available through the national High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme.
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Louise Brennan, Historic England regional director for the Midlands, said: “Whether it’s a medieval market town, or a post-industrial centre, every high street in England has a distinctive history that can be harnessed to help it achieve a prosperous future.
“Investing in heritage delivers good results for people – it means looking after and celebrating the places at the heart of our communities, and the buildings and public spaces which define their character.
“This investment for our Historic High Streets Action Zone scheme will unlock the potential of these precious high streets and help them thrive again.”