Grantham shop front rejuvenation continues

Buckminster has been working for some years with South Kesteven District Council to deliver on the Government-funded Shop Front Improvement Scheme; replacing unsightly modern frontages with traditional designs and materials on its properties in Market Place, Westgate and the High Street. 

The national initiative has attracted a £95 million fund from the Government through Historic England’s Heritage Action Zone initiative that designated 69 High Street Heritage Action Zones across the UK. The scheme is designed to provide support for historic communities and breathe new life into areas that need help. The vision was for disused buildings to be transformed into creative spaces and for shops to benefit from aesthetic renovations to their fronts. 

“Buckminster continues its support to help revive and remodel the town centre as a place to shop, visit and enjoy. To date, we have restored 13 high street shop fronts, and are currently working on a beacon Art Deco corner building opposite the Angel and Royal Hotel.

High street shops bring people together: lined with local businesses and familiar faces, the high street is where communities gather to work, shop and socialise. Revitalising Grantham High Street is important for this area to ensure it continues to thrive in the face of ever-changing customer demands. By keeping our high streets at the heart of our community, we can all enjoy the benefits of a healthy central hub which helps drive local economic activity.”

Duncan Wilson, Historic England’s Chief Executive: “Our high streets are the beating hearts of our communities. Many have roots that go back hundreds of years. Their historic buildings and distinctive character tell the story of how our towns and cities have changed over time. They are places where people come together to socialise, shop, run businesses and be part of their local community, but now they face an uncertain future.

Through physical improvements and cultural activities, we will work with partners to find new ways to regenerate our high streets. It is a challenge but with our experience and track record, as well as the knowledge and passion of local councils, businesses and community groups, our historic high streets can be thriving social hubs once more.”