Heritage Now

12   HISTORIC BUILDINGS & PLACES FEATURE FEATURE High Street Heritage Action Zones High streets have throughout history been the focal point for local communities. A hub for businesses and a meeting place for all, a high street was once the beating heart of a town or city. However, in recent years high streets have faced challenges, most notably competition from online retailers and out-of-town outlets. These challeng- es have become only more prominent in the past 18 months, with the restrictions on congregating due to Covid-19 and the further rise of online shopping. In response to these challenges, the High Street Heritage Action Zones (HSHAZ) programme has been designed to help make high streets more successful by using heritage as a catalyst for wider economic and social regeneration. Delivered by Historic England and beginning ‘on the ground’ in April 2020, the scheme incorporates more than 60 high streets around England. By investing £95 million of government funding into historic high streets, Historic England is working with local partners to unlock the potential of the high street to fuel economic, social and cultural recovery. Funding has come from several sources: £40 mil- lion from the Department for Digital, Culture Me- dia & Sport’s Heritage High Street Fund and £52 million from the Ministry of Housing, Communi- ties and Local Government’s Future High Street Fund. A further £3 million has been provided by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support a cultural programme, diversifying the impact the HSHAZ scheme will make on local areas. OUR HISTORIC HIGH STREETS Historic buildings on our high streets give great character to local towns and cities, making each special and distinctive. Up to 48 per cent of the nation’s retail stock was built before 1919 and the Aerial view of the Trinity Triangle area of Hastings. Supporting community involvement will establish new pride and bring benefits to public spaces. High Street Heritage Action Zones are set to reinvigorate our historic high streets. Hannah Hamnett , one of Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone project officers (NW), explains how heritage will help the high street regain its confidence and resilience.