David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, has announced the successful projects chosen for Phase Two of the Vibrant and Sustainable High Street Fund.
The first phase of the Vibrant and Sustainable High Street fund launched in February with 20 projects receiving targeted investment, designed to revitalise high streets across York and North Yorkshire, supporting them to broaden their appeal to both residents and visitors.
Mayor David Skaith has now committed a further £1.7m across 19 successful projects to boost the resilience of town centres and high streets across the region.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire said:
“High streets are constantly changing, but when we back our high streets, they will thrive and become hubs for our communities again.
“That’s why I am delighted to invest £1.7 million in these 19 projects. They are all led by local people, ranging from regeneration to exciting festivals.
“These are big ideas that will inject new life into communities across the region. This is what my Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund is here to deliver.”
One successful project in Whitby, Flowergate and Beyond: Whitby’s Artisan Quarter, led by Flash Company Arts CIC, received funding to transform historic high streets into a vibrant, inclusive Artisan Quarter through culture, community, enterprise and collaboration.
Rebecca Denniff from Flash Company Arts, said:
“We are thrilled that our submission for the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund has been successful. This opportunity will help us to kick-start local enterprise, connect businesses and spark new ideas that bring renewed energy to our beautiful heritage streets, transforming them into a vibrant Artisan Quarter.
“Over the coming months, we’ll be working collaboratively with partners and local people to tell the stories of our place, celebrate what makes it special, and create new events, festivals and community days that bring people together. We can’t wait to celebrate the wonderful and unique character of Flowergate and Beyond!”
Led by Schiewe Ceramics, Eggsplore York and Haxby received funding to support the free, family-friendly public art trail that celebrates York’s hidden high streets and showcases local businesses through a creative display of ceramic Easter eggs.
Sarah Schiewe from Eggsplore York and Haxby said:
“We’re absolutely delighted to receive funding to help reinvigorate our high streets through art, storytelling, and community engagement. Over the coming months, our team will be working closely with local retailers to uncover and celebrate the unique stories behind each business.
“Eggsplore will bring vibrant new public art events to York and Haxby, creating fun, inclusive experiences for families and ensuring those unable to attend in person can still take part through our digital trail films.
“Through the Vibrant and Sustainable High Street Fund, we can reimagine our high streets as places full of creativity, connection, and local pride.”
Kirkbymoorside Town Brand and Town History Trail, will see the creation of a new town brand and a history trail, boosting Kirkbymoorside’s identity, accessibility and appeal for residents, visitors and local businesses.
Jean Illingworth for Kirkbymoorside Community Support Group said:
“We are delighted to have once again secured funding from the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund to help enhance and support the high street in the historic market town of Kirkbymoorside.
“Kirkbymoorside is described as a ‘hidden gem’ and is often overlooked, sandwiched as it is between Helmsley and Pickering, and we want to put it on the map, to sustain the independent shops and businesses in the town and boost the local economy.”
Phase three of the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund is set to open in November.
Successful Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund Phase Two Applicants
19 projects led by local partnerships were successful in applying for funding from Phase Two.
Accessible Leyburn - A distinctly Dales market town for everybody
Lead Applicant
Leyburn Town Council
Project Description
Accessible Leyburn: Establishing a vibrant visitor and heritage hub with enhanced digital and in-person experiences, creating an inclusive, prosperous market town high street for all.
Grant Awarded
£117,523
Acomb Creative Community Festival
Lead Applicant
Art of Protest
Project Description
An annual festival to transform Acomb High Street into an open-air gallery and event centre, creating legacy and vibrancy through co-production, talent development and sustainability
Grant Awarded
£99,999
Colour and Light
Lead Applicant
York BID
Project Description
Colour & Light is a large-scale outdoor projection project, using the latest innovations in 3D projection mapping to bring York’s iconic buildings to life.
Grant Awarded
£93,228
Colourful Bentham
Lead Applicant
Bentham Town Council
Project Description
To transform Bentham’s Main Street into a vibrant, engaging and inclusive space through interactive art.
Grant Awarded
£50,000
Eggsplore York & Eggsplore Haxby
Lead Applicant
Schiewe Ceramics
Project Description
Eggsplore York/Haxby is a free public art trail and family event using ceramic Easter eggs to showcase local businesses and celebrate York’s hidden high streets.
Grant Awarded
£56,707
Eventure Knaresborough - Strengthening Free Events for Economic Impact
Lead Applicant
Chain Lane Community Hub
Project Description
A strategic initiative to invest in and diversify Knaresborough’s free events programme – enhancing existing offerings, fostering new partnerships, and driving sustained footfall and economic development.
Grant Awarded
£121,488
Experience Easingwold
Lead Applicant
Easingwold Town Council
Project Description
Experience Easingwold is for all ages and interests with activities throughout the year to stimulate business and generate fun and enjoyment.
Grant Awarded
£85,500
Flowergate and Beyond: Whitby's Artisan Quarter
Lead Applicant
Flash Company Arts CIC
Project Description
Flowergate and Beyond is a creative placemaking project transforming historic high streets into a vibrant, inclusive Artisan Quarter through culture, community, enterprise and collaboration.
Grant Awarded
£149,000
Kirkymoorside Town Brand and Town History Trail
Lead Applicant
Kirkbymoorside Community Support Group
Project Description
A project to create a new town brand and a history trail, boosting Kirkbymoorside’s identity, accessibility and appeal for residents, visitors and local businesses.
Grant Awarded
£35,662
Light up Haxby & Wigginton
Lead Applicant
Haxby & Wigginton Traders Ass.
Project Description
A schedule of community events to bring vibrancy to the High Street including Winter Lights, planters, community panto and new markets to Haxby all supported by the creation of a new website.
Grant Awarded
£46,000
Love Bishy Road
Lead Applicant
Bishopthorpe Road Traders Association
Project Description
A community-led project to revitalise Bishy Road through enhanced public realm, local events, and shared infrastructure – boosting footfall, engagement, and long-term sustainability.
Grant Awarded
£42,465
Marshall's Indie Revival
Lead Applicant
Yorkshire IN Business
Project Description
A vibrant independent retail space reviving Scarborough’s High Street, inspired by the heritage of the former Marshall & Snelgrove department store.
Grant Awarded
£100,384
Ryedale Gateway Project
Lead Applicant
You WIll Be CIC
Project Description
The Ryedale Gateway Project: Making Malton a creative hub for the community of Ryedale.
Grant Awarded
£46,900
Scarborough CHIP: Creative Highstreet Innovation Programme
Lead Applicant
Scarborough Studios CIO
Project Description
A 15 month, proactive intervention in the area around Scarborough Market Hall which will activate, support and accelerate businesses, attract new visitors and drive growth.
Grant Awarded
£149,750
Scarborough Streets
Lead Applicant
Stephen Joseph Theatre
Project Description
The Scarborough Streets programme is a year-round series of festivals and events to drive footfall and business to the high street area of Scarborough.
Grant Awarded
£149,479
Selby Sustainable High Street Customer Intelligence and Business Development Initiative
Lead Applicant
Up for Yorkshire
Project Description
Commission comprehensive market research to understand Selby high street visitors and charity shop customers, creating evidence base for targeted business development strategies.
Grant Awarded
£55,984
Spend Time in Stokesley
Lead Applicant
Stokesley Town Council
Project Description
A project to make Stokesley High Street an all year round destination of choice for both residents and visitors.
Grant Awarded
£50,040
The Next Chapter
Lead Applicant
Art of Protest
Project Description
Creating a vibrant open-aired gallery of storytelling complimenting Malton’s aesthetic as a historic town by celebrating local authors and artists through installations and events.
Grant Awarded
£99,950
York Fashion Week: A Permanent Residency
Lead Applicant
York Fashion Week
Project Description
York Fashion Week: A Permanent Residency is a year-round programme designed to boost York’s high-street through fashion events, creative showcases, retail support and industry collaboration.
Grant Awarded
£149,020
