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Monday 4th July 2011

Bedford High Street is set to receive significant investment after the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded Bedford Borough Council £850,000 towards the restoration and regeneration of the historic street as part of a Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) grant.

The THI scheme, starts in September 2011 and will run for 5 years. In that time it aims to:
 restore traditional shopfronts, upgrade building façades, reinstate lost architectural details, bring upper floors back into use carry out vital structural works

Funding will be available through grants to landlords and tenants along the High Street. The project has already included discussions with a number of landlords and businesses on the High Street and these discussions will continue in order to bring the scheme forward.

The Mayor of Bedford Borough and Chair of the THI Partnership Board, Dave Hodgson, said: “It is great news that our application for this major award of lottery funding has been approved. The Bedford High Street THI project will help revitalise the heart of Bedford’s historic centre through the repair, reinstatement and conservation of its heritage and buildings.

“It will also support the regeneration of the town centre, helping to re-establish the High Street as a vibrant and attractive place to shop. With these aims in mind, we are also working to cut traffic in the High Street with funding now in place for the final phase of the Western Bypass.

“We look forward to the work on High Street properties and public spaces providing an impetus for Bedford High Street to become a focal point for a thriving town centre.”
Robyn Llewellyn, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund East of England, said ‘In the current economic climate it’s important that heritage plays a central role in the revitalisation of our historic town centres’.

Kevin Kavanagh, Bedford BID Vice-Chairman said “Bedford BID is pleased to welcome the Heritage Lottery Fund’s decision. Together, this investment pot will make the High Street a more attractive, vibrant and welcoming place for Bedford’s shoppers, visitors and residents. It marks the start of the town centre’s transformation and signals BID’s commitment to its long-term future and success.”

In addition to the physical works on the High Street, including the improvement of Luddington’s Passage and the northern passage between 99 and 101 High Street, an extensive Learning, Education and Training Programme will also run during the lifetime of the project.

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