A struggling central England town is to get more than £880,000 to help it through the coronavirus downturn.
Extra government funds of £881,795 will be used to turn disused and dilapidated buildings in Hinckley town centre into new homes, shops and community spaces.
The town centre is also set to benefit from a £1.85 million investment as part of Historic England’s national ‘High Streets Heritage Action Zone’ programme.
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Hinckley was one of 69 places across the country chosen to benefit from a £95 million heritage fund to improve high streets and increase footfall.
A four year High Street Heritage Action Zone has now been launched in the town, half funded by Historic England.
The remainder of the cash will come from private and public sources and includes a contribution of around £360,000 from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.
Action zone member Coun David Bill said: “I am delighted to see the High Street Heritage Action Zone get off the ground.
“We are extremely privileged to have been selected for this scheme by Historic England and I am sure their expertise will help revitalise Hinckley town centre.
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“It is extremely timely that we can start work on this project as every town centre across the country has suffered during the pandemic but this project will enable us to help regenerate our town centre and surrounding areas.
“I look forward to working with our key partners over the coming months as we collaborate on a whole range of improvement ideas.”
Hinckley and Bosworth MP Dr Luke Evans said: “I’m delighted Historic England have announced they will be supporting Hinckley town centre.
“In Castle Street, we have a great high street with many wonderful independent retailers.
“But 2020 has been a tough year and our high streets need help to bounce back as they begin to recover.
“The High Streets Heritage Action Zone funding will be a real significant help in achieving that.”
Upgrades will include:
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- Improvement in the area around Church Walk Car Park, Castle Street and the historic jitties and yards
- The opportunity for historic building owners and occupiers within the retail core of the town centre to apply for grants for works of repair and reinstating traditional features, with a particular focus on shop fronts
- Determining whether vacant buildings and spaces can be re-developed and improved
- A range of events and activities to engage people in Hinckley’s heritage and culture.
Hinckley town centre was one of several central areas throughout the country that were chosen, in a bid to transform historic locations.
Groups in the area will have a say in the final plans, including Hinckley Business Improvement District (BID), Hinckley and District Museum, Leicestershire County Council, and local cultural and educational establishments and history groups.
A dedicated project officer has already been recruited to lead the action zone.
The first tasks this autumn will be to:
- Ask people to identify the buildings and spaces within the town centre they would like to see developed and improved
- Request for the community and others to provide information to help inform the detailed design of the improvements to the historic buildings and spaces
- Contact historic building owners and occupiers to provide details of the grants available
- Launch a range of cultural events and activities to engage the community