High streets in the East to be regenerated to help economic recovery

Triple image of Great Yarmouth, North Walsham and Dunstable.
Great Yarmouth, North Walsham and Dunstable Credit: Great Yarmouth, North Walsham and Dunstable

Eight high streets across the Anglia region are to be regenerated to help with economic recovery thanks to funding from the government say Historic England.

The high streets are among many across the UK to get a share of more than £95 million pounds from the 'High Streets Heritage Action Zone' scheme.

The chosen high streets, from as far west as Bedford to as far east at Lowestoft, will be given a new lease of life to help them recover from declining footfall and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Swaffham marketplace. Credit: Historic England.

The money will be shared out between the following High streets in the East of England:

  • Great Yarmouth - £980,742

  • Bedford - £1,760,000

  • King's Lynn - £800,000

  • Dunstable - £1,144,000

  • North Walsham - £975,000

  • Lowestoft - £565,000

  • Swaffham - £380,000

Meanwhile, Kettering will get £1,480,000 which is part of funding for the Midlands.

King's Lynn High Street will benefit from £800,000 in funding for improvements by Historic England. Credit: Historic England

The High Streets Heritage Action Zone scheme is funded with:

  • £40 million from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport's Heritage High Street Fund.

  • £52 million from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's Future High Street Fund

  • £3 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

View of Silver street, Bedford. Credit: A view from the east end of Silver Street, Bedford.

Local authorities will work with Historic England to develop and deliver the schemes.

They'll aim to transform and restore disused and dilapidated buildings into new homes, shops, work places and community spaces and restore local historical character.