City of Lincoln Council is celebrating its successful completion of projects as part of the High Street Heritage Action Zones (HSHAZ) four-year programme in partnership with Historic England.
In April 2020, the city council received a successful offer for funding of £1.68 million from Historic England, which has enabled a programme of historic building restorations designed to revitalise the area and uncover its rich history.
By restoring buildings, making improvements to public areas, and ensuring local people have a real say in the project, the council aimed to ensure key parts of Lincoln’s history survives – and thrives – well into the future.
Thanks to the successful and timely delivery of the Lincoln HSHAZ over the four years, the scheme has also attracted additional funding to further restore the city’s historic assets.
The overall HSHAZ programme of improvements for Lincoln from 2020-2024 has included:
- Property improvement grants to restore and reinstate historic shopfronts and other architectural elements to enhance the unique character and appearance of the area.
- 11 new shopfronts based on accurate reconstruction of historic photographs and reinstatement and repair of traditional windows
- Repairs to roofs and reinstatement of chimneys
- Cleaning, including removal of paint, repairs of the stone and brickwork of the Barbican and reinstatement of decorative stone foliage capitals to the front portico.
- Repairs to the stonework, historic metalwork and original clock as well as preliminary surveys to facilitate the restoration of the Central Market, now the Cornhill Market
- Reinstatement of the brick and stone boundary wall to St Mary Le Wigford Church and reinstatement of soft landscaping
- Repairs to the stonework and structural integrity as well as the reinstatement and repair of the traditional timber roof structure and roof tiles to St Marys Guildhall North Range and Norman House
- Grants to repair and convert key historic buildings in the area
- A community programme of events and activities for people to get involved in their local heritage, work together and learn new skills
- An ambitious cultural programme has brought culture onto the high street and celebrate the unique rich history and diversity of the area through vibrant and engaging open-air activities and events
In celebration of the completion of the Lincoln HSHAZ programme, an event will take place in May, bringing together partners from across the projects.
Cllr Naomi Tweddle, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth at City of Lincoln Council said: “The city’s heritage is a key part of its identity and supports the investment and attraction to the city.
“This scheme has aimed to maintain, protect and restore city centre shopfronts, historic buildings and heritage sites at risk and I’m proud to say we have accomplished a great deal over the past four years in achieving that.
“We have seen another incredible year of delivery of the HSHAZ programme, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Historic England for their ongoing support and guidance throughout the project.”
Louise Brennan, Historic England Regional Director for the Midlands added: “I am absolutely delighted to see the tangible impact that this project has had on Lincoln’s historic high street.
“The High Street Heritage Action Zone has focussed effort and attention on the lower high street, transforming the area around the station, shining a light on unique historic buildings that had suffered from neglect, and repurposing them as shops, community spaces and restaurants, transforming the derelict into the desirable.
“Hopefully it puts a smile on the faces of all those who walk past!”