C O N T E X T 1 7 1 : M A R C H 2 0 2 2 19 CHANGE ON THE HIGH STREET the adaptive re-use of buildings as centres for civil society – in Harlesden, north London, a refugee support charity is working with the council to turn a former bank into a space to support young people, small businesses and community groups. Even though the facade of the high street might be preserved, what lies behind it will have to change if any solution is to be sustainable in a post-Covid economy. The HAZs also aim to encourage community engagement in local heritage, and in Tyldesley near Wigan the HSHAZ is itself a communityled project. Many HAZs mention the desire to encourage people to reflect on the heritage of their towns through community events. In some towns, the focus is on training young people, thereby helping to improve their employment opportunities. In the Great Yarmouth HSHAZ, this takes the form of hands-on training and workshops to teach traditional building skills. In Swindon, £7 million is being invested in the listed Carriage Works. One of the units is now occupied by the Royal Agricultural University’s new Cultural Heritage Institute, which will train the next generation of heritage managers and professionals. While HAZs and HSHAZs have a specific heritage focus, the Towns Fund and Levelling Up Fund are both much broader scope, aimed at addressing the economic and cultural needs of some of England’s more deprived areas. Although generally focussed on new infrastructure, in some cases the money is being applied to heritage-led projects, like the restoration of Trowbridge’s town hall. The Towns Fund is focused on the wider development of a town, often including infrastructure and public realm improvements, while new venues and community centres are often proposed inside historic buildings. The Levelling Up fund awards money to local authorities for projects focused on three main themes: transport, the regeneration of town centres and culture. Cultural investment covers maintaining, regenerating or creatively repurposing museums, galleries, visitor attractions (and associated green spaces) and heritage assets, and creating new community-owned spaces to support the arts and serve as cultural spaces. All three strands of Levelling Up are thus potentially applicable to heritage-led projects. Often these new grants work in tandem with progress made through participation in other schemes.To return to Swindon, the review undertaken for the HAZ recognised the potential for developing the town’s Victorian swimming pool. The £5 million needed to carry out this project was made available by a successful Towns Fund Murdoch House in Redruth, listed Grade II*, is one of many buildings in heritage action zones which are being considered for a listing review. (Photo: Purcell)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjgyMjA=