The Government has announced a £15m funding scheme to help revive local heritage sites.
The Heritage at Risk Capital Fund will provide grants to 37 of the UK’s heritage sites, assisting with ‘repair works and conservation of heritage buildings at risk’.
Delivered by Historic England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the scheme seeks to support disadvantaged communities with ‘strong local benefits’, boosting both the job market and local economy.
Among the beneficiaries of the fund are Grimsby’s Unseen Arts and Penzance’s MusicAbility Centre, which will be granted above £430,000 and £400,000, respectively, enabling the transformation of old buildings into a new creative community space in the former and a refurbished arts facility in the latter.
Heritage Minister, Baroness Twycross said: ‘We are delivering on our Plan for Change, through the Heritage at Risk Fund, by breathing new life into treasured places, buildings and monuments across the country, helping to increase opportunities and ensuring that future generations have access to our rich heritage.’
Lou Brennan, Director of Regions at Historic England added: ‘This initiative will not only boost economic growth but also create amazing opportunities for people in some of the nation’s most disadvantaged areas.’