Value of Heritage-led Regeneration for England’s High Streets Revealed by New Independent Evaluation

Read the evaluation report

Led by Historic England, in partnership with Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the programme ran from 2020 to 2024 and unlocked the potential of 67 historic high streets across England.

Developed in response to the changing use of high streets, Historic England's innovative, heritage-led solution demonstrates how the loosening of the grip of retail on the high street can be an opportunity to reimagine them as vibrant centres of their community.

Recognising cultural heritage as a catalyst for regeneration, the programme was designed around 3 core objectives:

• To support sustainable economic and cultural growth on and around high streets
• To change perceptions of heritage and high streets
• To restore and enhance local historic character

The High Streets Heritage Action Zone programme transformed high streets into vibrant community spaces by creating new partnerships, empowering communities, and celebrating local culture through heritage.

This evaluation tests new ways to measure the benefits of heritage-led regeneration and assesses long-term value.

Additionally, the evaluation shows that investing in historic places stimulates growth by creating jobs, attracting investment, and generating a renewed sense of local pride. The programme has helped reimagine high streets as cherished community spaces attractive to locals and visitors.

The High Streets Heritage Action Zone programme was supported by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Arts Council England, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

It has been independently evaluated by AMION Consulting.

Evaluation results

The programme had 3 key strands of delivery:

• Capital Works: The programme repaired 723 historic buildings, restored 462 shopfronts and brought many vacant buildings back into use
• Cultural Programming: Hosted 1,695 public events, 592 school activities, and 336 artworks and installations, drawing new visitors and strengthening local identity
• Community Engagement: Delivered 634 construction training sessions, 160 volunteer training sessions, and 42,503 volunteer hours dedicated to making their high streets more attractive places to visit

The programme was delivered during a time of uncertainty, from the COVID-19 pandemic to geopolitical instability and economic pressures. Rising costs, supply chain disruptions, and evolving net-zero targets added to the complexity as the programme had to adapt to these challenges. Attracting private-sector investment was particularly challenging in these circumstances.

Responding to these challenges, the programme's impact was significant:

• Economic Growth: Created over 700 jobs worth over £34 million per year, delivering £1.34 return per £1 invested, as well as other non-monetisable benefits for communities and the cultural sector, and leveraged £140 million in additional investment
• Urban Transformations: 43,564 square metres of commercial space and 224 homes were brought back into use or created, with 119,442 square metres of public realm improved
• The benefits from the programme are valued at over £245 million

Historic England will use the lessons from the High Streets Heritage Action Zone programme to shape place-based heritage investments, ensuring that heritage continues to be an effective driver of economic, social, and cultural renewal.

The programme's approach has brought regeneration to where it's needed most, proving that heritage is not just about the past – it's a powerful catalyst for future growth.

A solution for high streets

The High Streets Heritage Action Zone programme provides a model for reinvesting in our town centres.

Creating conditions for growth: Harlesden High Street

The programme's work in Harlesden demonstrates how heritage-led regeneration can create economic opportunities. The scheme, located in an area needing investment, focused on transforming gateway buildings to create community assets and improve business conditions.

A standout success was converting an old HSBC bank, built in the Victorian era, into a headquarters for Refugee Education UK. The transformation of this 1891 building created an education centre, co-working spaces and community meeting facilities, bringing new life to the area.

The scheme also restored a row of historic shopfronts between 2 significant local pubs, the Grade II listed Green Man and the locally listed Royal Oak. This improvement has sparked additional private investment, with neighbouring businesses investing in their shopfronts to match the improved streetscape.

Empowering communities: Tyldesley High Street

The evaluation underlines the importance of involving and empowering communities throughout the regeneration process. Residents of High Street Heritage Action Zone areas were more likely to feel that decision-makers valued their opinions and that their high street was a place to meet, socialise, and participate in cultural activities, compared to high streets that were not part of the programme. Community-led events, public art, and the restoration of historic shopfronts have all helped to create a renewed sense of pride and belonging, creating welcoming shared spaces in cities and towns across England.

Tyldesley's High Street Heritage Action Zone was delivered by ForTyldesley, a Community Interest Company (CIC) set up for the project. Tyldesley put residents at the centre of the decision-making process, ensuring the urban transformation reflected local needs and desires.

Before the intervention, Tyldesley's high street faced declining footfall and deterioration. Historic buildings on the high street were placed on Historic England's Risk Register, meaning they were at risk of being lost. Through community engagement, local residents shaped work done to the high street, including improving shopfronts, accessibility, and greening public spaces.

Beyond restoring the historic fabric of the high street, the scheme delivered cultural events and public art projects that strengthened local pride. The Shine a Light Festival and Arts and Heritage Festival brought people together, and a mosaic mural created by school children now serves as a permanent celebration of Tyldesley's history.

Watch this video to learn more about Tyldesley's High Street regeneration.

Bringing culture and heritage together: Middlesbrough High Street

The evaluation demonstrated how heritage and culture can revitalise places, attract visitors, and celebrate local identity. Cultural events, from festivals and performances to murals and exhibitions, brought communities together while supporting local artists, creative businesses, and freelancers.

The Middlesbrough programme exemplifies how cultural programming can revitalise historic spaces and celebrate local identity. Through its 'Celebrating Hidden Middlesbrough' initiative, the scheme wove heritage storytelling with contemporary arts to reinvigorate the Historic Quarter's Victorian architecture.

A standout project was 'The Exchange' by artist Layla Khoo, which connected past and present. Drawing inspiration from the area's industrial heritage, Khoo created 365 gold-gilded porcelain sculptures. These pieces were then exchanged with residents who pledged to volunteer for local organisations, building a bridge between heritage, culture and people.

The transformation of The Masham, a Grade II listed former pub, into a cultural hub demonstrates how the scheme brought heritage and culture together. This historic space hosted exhibitions, workshops, and heritage talks, connecting artists and residents and encouraging them to explore Middlesbrough's past and imagine its future.

Watch this video to learn more about Middlesbrough's High Street regeneration.

Building leadership and momentum: Wakefield High Street

An important legacy of the High Streets Heritage Action Zone programme is the connections, partnerships and collaborations it created. Historic England worked closely with local authorities, businesses, and community groups to ensure this heritage-led regeneration was not just about restoring historic buildings but a long-term vision for the future.

The programme has helped embed heritage into regeneration strategies, influencing funding decisions and shaping policies. The partnerships formed during delivery will remain beyond the programme, creating lasting collaborations between people from all backgrounds and specialisms.

The programme in Wakefield demonstrated how heritage-led regeneration can be the starting point for long-term investment and cross-sectoral partnerships. It focused on Upper Westgate, a historic gateway into the city, and combined restoration of historic buildings, public realm improvements, and cultural programming to showcase the economic and social value of heritage.

A key strength of the project was how it fit into wider regeneration initiatives in Wakefield. Local stakeholders, including Wakefield Civic Society and Wakefield Historical Society, actively shaped and delivered the scheme. Their involvement helped to reinforce heritage as a catalyst for economic growth and community engagement, facilitating collaboration between planning, conservation, and cultural organisations.

The scheme's success has sparked ongoing discussions about future heritage-led interventions. Public and private sector partners in Wakefield now recognise the potential of heritage to bring people back to the high street, boost civic pride, and attract further funding.

Watch this video to learn more about Wakefield's High Street regeneration.