Blackpool High Street Heritage Action Zone

At the heart of Blackpool's High Street Heritage Action Zone is Church Street, one of the town's oldest commercial streets which links the Winter Gardens, Grand Theatre and the Promenade, some of Blackpool's key historic gems. Over the past 40 years, the decline of UK seaside resorts has led to an economic downturn in Blackpool and high levels of deprivation.

Alongside this, the town centre's status has declined as it struggled to compete with other retail and leisure destinations. Many of the historic buildings within the area are in a declining condition and there is a high vacancy rate which has led to a general dissatisfaction about what the centre has to offer people.

How the Blackpool High Street Heritage Action Zone will help

With £1 million of Government funding, delivered through Historic England, the High Street Heritage Action Zone project will include a package of physical interventions to the Winter Gardens and other key buildings in the area. These works will be coupled with a community-led cultural programme to bring the high street back to life. This project aims to reinvigorate a sense of belonging in Blackpool's town centre by engaging the local community with key cultural venues.

Stay up to date

Below you can find just some of the progress being made in the Blackpool High Street Heritage Action Zone. For more, follow us on Twitter @HistoricEngland

• Repair and restoration works are underway to the Winter Gardens shopfronts along Church Street.
• The vacant 28 Topping Street and 4-8 Edward Street are being refurbished and opened as creative space on the high street for local artists.
• Abingdon Street Studios has delivered artwork displays in vacant town centre shop units; using ‘Culture Shops’ to breathe new life into currently unloved units.
• The St. John’s Square entrance to the Abingdon Street Market will be refurbished with a new canopy and granite setts, providing cover for young people accessing the night shelter.

Working in partnership with

• Blackpool Council