A total of 74 sites ‘at the heart’ of communities will receive funding from the government for repairs and renovations
A Government package worth £41 million has been allocated to repair and restore historic locations across the country, including churches, town halls and synagogues.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is delivering the funding to 74 sites “at the heart” of local communities, split between the new places of worship renewal fund and the heritage at risk capital fund.
Under the places of worship renewal fund, over £18 million is being shared among 51 initial locations.
Grants will protect the fabric of the Victorian Church of St Elwyn in Hayle, Cornwall, alongside work to stop deterioration on Birmingham Cathedral’s tower and dome.
Funding will also back restoration at Grimsby’s Sir Moses Montefiore Memorial Synagogue—the last remaining synagogue in Lincolnshire and South Humberside.
Separately, £13 million from the heritage at risk capital fund will support 20 historic buildings. This includes projects to bring Blackpool’s former Abingdon Street Post Office into community use, alongside reviving Kent’s Grade II listed Margate Museum and Old Town Hall.
A further £10 million from the heritage at risk capital funding will be shared by three major sites over the remainder of the Parliament. This includes restoring defensive fortifications at Dover Castle and repairing the roof at Brodsworth Hall in Doncaster.
Osborne, Queen Victoria’s family residence on the Isle of Wight, will also receive help for major roof repairs.
The Government said both funds, delivered by heritage agency Historic England, give priority to areas of England in the greatest need, where fundraising for heritage buildings can be most difficult and Government funding can have the greatest impact.
Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross said: “Nothing tells the stories of our nation quite like the historic buildings at the heart of our communities.
“But too often they are a far cry from their former glory with leaking roofs and crumbling stonework.
“Thanks to this funding, the much loved buildings that fill our hometowns with character will be keeping the doors open to communities for years to come.”
Emma Squire and Claudia Kenyatta, co-chairwomen of Historic England, said: “Historic places are at the heart of communities across England.
“They help shape the character and identity of the places we live, work and visit, and provide spaces where people can come together, connect and take part in community life.
“These grants will support historic buildings and places of worship that face significant repair and conservation needs.”
The funds will both see further rounds over this Parliament, and are part of the wider £1.5 billion “arts everywhere fund”.
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