Million pound boost for Hexham High Streets heritage scheme

The council’s cabinet has approved over £1m extra funding to support a scheme that seeks to restore and revitalise Hexham’s historic town centre and to refurbish The Shambles in the town’s Market Place.

The Hexham High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ scheme) was established as a £2.4m scheme in October 2020 as part of a national programme and funded by Historic England, Northumberland County Council and private sector match funding contributions. It seeks to revitalise the town’s historic centre making it a more attractive, engaging and vibrant place for people to live, work, invest and visit.

Councillors have now approved an additional allocation of £1,117,254 from the Council’s Capital Programme to ensure the maximum transformational programme can be delivered, so that a lasting impact can be made to Hexham town centre and its heritage assets.

Of this £300,000 will be allocated to the refurbishment of The Shambles, a prominent grade II listed structure. The Shambles was built by Sir Walter Blackett in 1766 and sits within the Market Place in the heart of the Hexham Conservation Area.

Currently used by market stall holders throughout the week, the funding will support much needed repairs, improvement work to the timber beams, timber and stone columns, roof and flooring to restore this historic asset in the heart of the town centre.

The Shambles is a complimentary project funded by the county council. The other funds announced as part of the package today will support a range of investment through the HSHAZ scheme.

Northumberland County Councillor Wojciech Ploszaj, cabinet member for Business said: “It’s great news that we are now able to support further High Street improvements in Hexham through the HSHAZ scheme and our plan to restore The Shambles as a key asset in the town. This investment will help to protect and enhance the rich base of heritage assets in the town centre.

“Significant progress has been made over the last 18 months with a variety of activities such as the awarding of building renovation grants including the recently reopened Coach and Horses, the launch of a varied community engagement programme, and the installation of heritage lighting.

“This decision means that working together with Historic England and our partners in the town we can continue to make a real and positive difference to the town centre.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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