NEARLY £100million will be given to 69 high streets in England to convert disused historical buildings into community centres, shops and homes.
Those in the Midlands get the most, £21million. Coventry’s ancient street The Burges gets £2million, a sum matched in Stoke.
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London and the South East will receive £14.3million. Riot-hit Tottenham is among the winners. Plymouth is to receive £1.99million, and Wigan £1.27million.
Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan said: “It is right we ensure these beautiful buildings are preserved for future generations, but it is also important that we make them work for the modern world
Funding for the projects had already been earmarked earlier this year, with towns and cities invited to apply in May, and sees £40 million from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and £52 million from the Government’s Future High Street Fund.
The majority of the cash will be spent on essential repairs to historic buildings, develop educational projects to turn the sites into community hubs, and help increase skills shortages in areas like stonemasonry.
Communities Secretary of State Robert Jenrick said: “Today’s funding will revitalise much-loved historic buildings helping to reverse the decline of our town centres.”
Other projects to receive the funding include £1.99 million for Plymouth for education projects and community events to help boost the local high street’s heritage buildings.
