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High Street Heritage Action Zone

The High Streets Heritage Action Zones (HSHAZ) is a nationwide initiative in the form of a grant programme.

It is run by Historic England on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government with a contribution from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Programme is designed to secure lasting improvements to our historic High Streets, through physical interventions, that are delivered alongside a cultural programme with a focus on community engagement.

Bedford was selected as one of the 68 towns across the UK to receive a share of the £95 million fund. The grant will be used to facilitate the four-year HSHAZ programme, investing in Bedford High Street, local communities and visitors.

Objectives of the HSAZ

The objective of the HSHAZ is to make the High Street a more attractive place for communities to live, work and enjoy leisure activities through the application of the following measures;

  • Undertaking physical works to buildings; including repairs, reinstatement of lost architectural features and shop fronts. It will support the conversion of historic buildings for new uses to improve the quality of the shared space whilst emphasising the merit of the Conservation area.
  • Facilitating cultural activities and events celebrating the history of the high street whilst giving local communities a key role in activities to decide what they want to see happening in their town centre and what sort of place they want it to become.
  • Reducing the impact of traffic in the high street and improve the local environment to increase economic activities and footfall in the town centre as part of the ‘Transporting Bedford’ programme.
  • Reducing the impact of traffic in the high street and improving the local environment to increase economic activities and footfall in the town centre as part of ‘Transporting Bedford’ programme. This is enabled through a number of infrastructure interventions, supported by Bedford Borough Council, South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) and BedfordBID - The local Business Improvement District (Love Bedford).

Grant funding for communities and non-profit organisations

The HSHAZ aims to rejuvenate Bedford’s High Street, encouraging the local community to learn about heritage and participate in cultural activities and events.

To ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate in the programme, the team developed grant-funding opportunities to bring people together to celebrate heritage and Bedford’s High Street.

The programme is designed to facilitate grant funding of up to £1,500 for small businesses, community interest companies and non-profit organisations, wishing to develop and run events and activities with the local community focusing on the High Street.

If the above is of interest to you or your business/organisation, please complete the Community Engagement - Grant application form and return it by email to Jessica.Mittler@bedford.gov.uk HAZ Project Manager by 16 September 2022.

Further information 

For more information on the initiative in Bedford Borough, please read the following leaflet.  

For further information on the High Street Heritage Action Zones, visit Historic England