Boosting the resilience of the region’s high streets and attracting visitors to town centres is the goal of a major new funding programme launched by the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith. 

The Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund is the first of four schemes to launch under the £27million Mayoral Challenge Fund, which will also see programmes to strengthen key business sectors, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and boost adult vocational skills. 

Launching the High Streets Fund, Mr Skaith said the region’s town centres are ‘the heart of our communities’ but were battling the long-term impact of lockdown, online shopping and big, out-of-town retail parks. 

He added: “For phase-one of the High Streets Fund, we’re welcoming grant applications from partnerships demonstrating fresh thinking and innovative ways to create vibrant, mixed-use town centres. 

“We want to hear from organisations who are working collaboratively to create events, activities and spaces which increase footfall and staying time, while boosting a sense of community. 

“As a city centre business owner in York, I understand the challenges. I want to see this new fund used to increase the resilience of our high streets, leading to thriving communities whether they’re on our coast, our urban areas or rural towns and villages.” 

Applications for grants from the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund will open on Monday, February 3.  

The Mayoral Challenge Fund comes as a part of York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s devolution deal with the Government. Two other grant schemes, enabled by the Mayoral Challenge Fund, will launch on February 5.   

The Carbon Negative Challenge Fund will offer grants to projects which demonstrate innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, in-turn, accelerate the region towards its ambition of achieving carbon-negative by 2040. 

Meanwhile the Skills Innovation Fund will provide grants to support skills development across the region and tackle a number of challenges highlighted by stakeholders, including declining numbers of adults engaging in learning and the recruitment of tutors. The fund will help organisations to innovate in their delivery and build capacity in their workforce. 

A fourth funding stream, the Business Innovation Fund, will launch in March, aiming to boost economic opportunity across York and North Yorkshire by attracting investment and supporting businesses in being more innovative, productive and resilient. 

Click here for more information on the Mayoral Challenge Fund, and the four grant programmes.

Published on Monday 3rd February 2025