The purpose of this Fund is to rejuvenate and reanimate high streets across York and North Yorkshire. Key objectives include boosting the resilience of town centres and high streets, enabling them to expand their offer and increase the number of events and activities that can attract residents and visitors.
An indicative £10 million from 2024 to 2028 was approved in principle for this Fund, subject to detailed programme design.
Latest Updates
As of 21st March 2025, Phase One applications to the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund are closed. In total, 42 applications were received from across York and North Yorkshire.
Applications to Phase One are now being appraised. Applicants will continue to be notified on the status of their applications. Phase One awards will be announced in due course.
25.02.25 – Spark:York founder backs High Street Fund to boost city – York Press
Phase Two
Phase Two will be launched by Summer 2025.
We expect Phase Two to be broken down into two rounds of applications with the first window opening in Summer 2025, and the second window opening again in January 2026.
If you have new ideas about positive changes you would like to see made to your high street, to enhance its vibrancy or sustainability, we would strongly encourage you to have conversations with other businesses and organisations in your area to begin planning and designing your projects. You can also use the form at the below on this webpage to Get in Touch and share your ideas with us.
As in Phase One, opportunities to apply for grant funding to deliver projects will be open to local partnerships in Phase Two.
Local partnerships can be new, so a track record of previous delivery is not necessarily essential. However, strong applications from local partnership will identify a lead applicant who will be:
- Responsible for coordinating the partnership
- Accountable for completing and submitting the application
- A registered company, charity, or public sector organisation, who can supply copies of their latest financial accounts and can receive the funds on behalf of the partnership
- Experienced at delivering projects involving the management of grant funding
Strong applications from local partnerships will also demonstrate that a range of delivery partners are involved in the project, who collectively represent both the business and community interests of the local high street and town centre area.
Applications may also come forward from providers who are interested in working across multiple high street and town centre locations across the region. This is within scope, if providers can demonstrate connections with local partners have been established and that there is local demand for their service.
Phase Two will have the flexibility to support projects involving capital works, revenue-based activities, or a combination of both.
Phase Two projects will be expected to deliver their project activity by March 2027
We will continue to keep this page updated with the latest news as this Fund progresses.
Key Outcomes
- Support town centres and high streets to improve their resilience and expand their local offer.
- Increase the number of events and activities attracting people to use their local town centres and high streets.
- Support activities aimed at reducing the number of vacant units (where it’s an issue) and increase footfall (where it is currently low).
- Improve perceptions of town centres and high streets within local communities and for visitors.
Next Steps
- Ongoing engagement with the York and North Yorkshire High Street Forum and other stakeholders for the further development of the programme.
- Applications submitted for Phase One are being appraised following the submission deadline.
- Phase Two to launch by summer 2025.
Stay Up To Date
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Get in touch
If you have any further questions, please fill in the following form and a member of the team will be in touch.
