This is an Architectural Heritage Fund programme to provide funding for projects with the potential to bring new life to high streets by creating alternative uses for redundant or underused historic buildings in town centres. Not-for-profit organisations, including charities, co-operatives, community interest companies and parish and town councils can apply.
The funding is for individual buildings which must be in a high street or town centre in England that is already the focus of a wider strategy or a place-based initiative which aims to revitalise the surrounding area. This might be a Future High Streets Fund scheme, Heritage Action Zone, Neighbourhood Plan or other local initiative. See note below on complementing other funding*
The building should also be of special architectural or historic interest and in, or transferring to, community ownership or that of a charitable/social enterprise organisation.
Different levels of funding are available depending on what stage you have reached with your project. This includes grants up to £15,000 for project viability work, up to £100,000 for project development and capital grants of up to £350,000 for transformational projects. At least 100 individual projects will be supported by the programme: the majority will be for projects in the earlier stages; project delivery grants will be limited to 10 -15 in total over the 4-year life of the programme.
*Note that grants from this programme cannot be used to fund work that is being grant-aided through a Future High Streets Fund or Heritage Action Zone programme. These strands of funding cannot partner each other but will fund projects that are complementary. These strands of funding may also separately fund different stages of one project.
Focus of fund/fund aims:
To support the regeneration of high streets and town centres by providing grant funding towards the costs of restoration projects that will create alternative uses for redundant or underused historic buildings
Application deadline:
Applications up to £15,000 may be submitted at any time; applications for more than £15,000 are considered at quarterly grants panels; applications for Transformational Grants should be submitted by 31 March 2020.