Heritage Now

14   HISTORIC BUILDINGS & PLACES FEATURE is community involvement, as various commu- nity groups around the town will be participating in the repairs. The programme of repairs will also be used for training local tradespeople and engaging with local schoolchildren, to learn about their town’s significant history. Engagement with ancient structures on our high streets is so im- portant to build a sense of place among the town’s residents, reminding them that they are part of a long, rich history. Historic natural spaces are key to the enjoyment of our high streets. Experiencing nature in the middle of a town or city is not only important for our wellbeing but can also give a unique setting for potential businesses, drawing residents and visitors alike. This is the intention on Palmer Lane in Coventry, where plans have recently been submitted as part of the HSHAZ scheme to uncov- er the river Sherbourne and create a new public square on the river. Mainly underground since the 1960s, opening up the river will allow wildlife to thrive and residents to soak up the benefits of being within natural spaces. The river has also been important to the city of Coventry through- out history, from a medieval source of water and trade to powering economic growth during the Industrial Revolution. With completion due in 2022, re-opening the river will allow the local community to engage with its historical signifi- cance, connecting them to residents of Coventry throughout history, and will provide a unique setting for businesses looking to grow. Overcoming the challenges high streets are facing will not be easy, especially with the ongoing context of Covid-19 Redruth, Cornwall, is a rare example of the so-called ‘agora or loggia’ type of market, with colonnades around a courtyard. The oldest parts comprise the former market house of 1825-6 and the mid-19th-century courtyard buildings. James Hicks, a local Victorian architect, is thought to have designed the next door meat market of 1877, of which only the outer walls survived a fire in 1982. The national significance of the Buttermar- ket, a priority building for the Redruth HSHAZ, was recognised in May 2021 with a Grade II listing. Until the late 19th century, the market in Redruth was the largest in West Cornwall. The Buttermarket is a high-profile capital project within the Redruth HSHAZ scheme. Its owners, Redruth Revival CIC, aim to provide affordable and flexible workspaces for local independent busi- nesses and creatives by redeveloping the site and adapting it to the changing needs of Redruth high street. This redevelopment aims to diversify and broaden the function of Redruth’s town centre by attracting a wider range of residents and visitors to the town. By better using and celebrating its historic sites, the town will provide independ- ent traders, young entrepreneurs, and Redruth’s growing creative independent sector with a great- er choice of accommodation and opportunities. Middlesbrough’s Historic Quarter was once the commercial centre of a 19th century boom town. Industrial innovation in steel, iron and ship- building made Middlesbrough an affluent and fast-growing town. One legacy of this boom is the handsome Victorian townscape that survives today in the area by the railway station. Today, the area is largely dependent on the night-time economy, and many of these buildings have been converted to use as pubs, bars and nightclubs. Over half the buildings are listed, and most are of architectural or historical significance – howev- er, many now stand empty or are in a very poor state of repair following a significant period of economic decline. The Middlesbrough HSHAZ scheme aims to reclaim the Historic Quarter as a thriving centre for the local community and visi- tors, as well as creating an environment in which local business can thrive. Through the HSHAZ scheme at least five histor- ic buildings on the high street will be improved through the property grants scheme, with work on these already under way. A dedicated commu- nity engagement officer is working alongside the HSHAZ projects to address engagement challeng- RIGHT: Redruth Buttermarket. Behind its plain exterior hides an open arcaded market space with workshop units. Ambitious plans at Palmer Lane. The Burges in Coventry will create new community space and habitats along the river.