Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund Phase Three

About the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund Grant Programme Phase Three

The purpose of the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund is to support the long-term regeneration of high streets across York and North Yorkshire through investment in ambitious local projects.

Its key objectives are to strengthen the resilience of town centres and support improvements that help high streets thrive for years to come. These projects will revitalise communities across the region, driving economic growth and increasing the appeal of local high streets to both residents and visitors.

Successful Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund Applicants
26 projects led by local partnerships were successful in applying for funding from Phase Three.

£ Invested

Projects supported

Locations

Creative Streets: Celebrating Ripon's Heritage on the High Street

Lead Applicant Name:
Ripon BID

Project Description:
A programme of heritage murals, Hornblower civic sculpture and Ripon high-street heritage trail to boost footfall, dwell time and pride in Ripon’s city centre.

Grant Awarded:
£86,205

 

Making Richmond Shine

Lead Applicant Name:
ORBTA

Project Description:
This project raises the profile of Richmond as a tourist destination by implementing a strategy of promotion of events, promoting new activities and developing capacity.

Grant Awarded:
£150,000

Heritage connections: building the heritage tourism offer across the historic High Streets of Malton and Norton

Lead Applicant Name:
University of York

Project Description:
Heritage Connections will create a diverse programme of heritage exhibitions, activities and experiences, boosting regenerative tourism across the historic High Streets of Malton and Norton.

Grant Awarded:
£87,725

Nidderdale Annual Events and Business Association Project

Lead Applicant Name:
The Nidderdale Plus Partnership

Project Description:
The project will deliver an annual programme of new events and activities, uniquely branded to Nidderdale, and set up a new Nidderdale Business Association.

Grant Awarded:
£80,115

A collaborative ethical shop for Harrogate

Lead Applicant Name:
Harrogate Fairtrade

Project Description:
A collaborative ethical shop with refill centre, pop-up space, workshops, charity awareness-raising, and supported training places for people with learning difficulties and autism.

Grant Awarded:
£149,633

The Groves Community Improvement Drive

Lead Applicant Name:
Door 84

Project Description:
A comprehensive, resident and business-led partnership designed to rejuvenate the local high street, enhance public safety, and foster economic resilience.

Grant Awarded:
£54,015

Heart of Helmsley

Lead Applicant Name:
Howardian Hills National Landscape Partnership

Project Description:
Heart of Helmsley will deliver a vibrant market town where all feel welcome; visitors, residents, young or old, and particularly those with additional accessibility needs.

Grant Awarded:
£149,150

The Tempest Play Area

Lead Applicant Name:
York BID

Project Description:
The Tempest is a brand-new, semi-permanent children’s play area, combining play features with local heritage to create an immersive and unique family-friendly experience.

Grant Awarded:
£96,901

Vibrant Northallerton

Lead Applicant Name:
Northallerton Town Council and Northallerton BID Events Partnership

Project Description:
The project brings together four key new events, the Christmas Food Market, Ice & Fire Trail, Beach Event and Green & Active Living Festival, each designed to increase footfall, support local businesses and enhance the vibrancy of the high street.

Grant Awarded:
£85,000

Shop for the Future

Lead Applicant Name:
Up for Yorkshire

Project Description:
Building on funding in phases 1 and 2, we will draw together business, civic and third sectors to develop an identity for Selby promoting growth and impact.

Grant Awarded:
£149,837

Even More WOW across Malton

Lead Applicant Name:
Circular Malton & Norton CIC

Project Description:
Even More WOW - enriching all of Malton with a vibrant retail incubator, circular community events, and expanded loyalty passport, creating a differentiating town legacy.

Grant Awarded:
£149,953

The Fulford High Street Art Journey

Lead Applicant Name:
Blackhat Creative Limited

Project Description:
A cultural economic pilot using events, public art, and digital infrastructure to transform Fulford Road from a transit corridor into a connected High Street destination.

Grant Awarded:
£89,950

Harrogate Unlocked

Lead Applicant Name:
Harrogate International Festivals

Project Description:
A targeted programme of high-impact, outdoor, cultural activity delivering additional footfall, economic impact and long-term resilience for Harrogate’s High Street.

Grant Awarded:
£148,488

Destination Eastborough: Regenerating Local Retail and Hospitality in the Historic Old Town of Scarborough

Lead Applicant Name:
Eastborough Traders

Project Description:
Destination Eastborough is a place-making project using vibrant art, strategic interventions, rebranding and coordinated marketing to reinvigorate the area, support local businesses, and inspire visitors.

Grant Awarded:
£90,000

York Riverside Lighting Improvement Project

Lead Applicant Name:
City of York Council

Project Description:
The project involves installing permanent, sustainable lighting to creatively illuminate Ouse Bridge and to improve the vibrancy and accessibility of York’s Riverside Quarter.

Grant Awarded:
£84,900

The Harrogate Story: Explore & Discover

Lead Applicant Name:
Harrogate Heritage & Community Development Project

Project Description:
A town centre hub offering visitor information, showcasing the heritage of the spa town through interactive displays and providing community event and exhibition space.

Grant Awarded:
£119,215

Putting the heart into Sherburn High Street

Lead Applicant Name:
Sherburn in Elmet Town Council

Project Description:
Developing a marketplace in Sherburn in Elmet to deliver an enhanced retail offering, and exciting community events at the heart of our High Street.

Grant Awarded:
£41,976

Shopmobility York at York Station

Lead Applicant Name:
Shopmobility York

Project Description:
Shopmobility York will install mobility scooter lockers at York Station, enabling immediate access on arrival and improving accessibility, independence, and inclusion across York’s high street.

Grant Awarded:
£49,981

Crescent Arts on Tour

Lead Applicant Name:
Crescent Arts

Project Description:
Crescent Arts on Tour is a creative partnership that will transform a vacant Falsgrave shop into a creative hub that will drive local footfall.

Grant Awarded:
£71,263

The Settle Slow Living Project: A Business-Led High Street Activation

Lead Applicant Name:
The Settle Slow Living Project

Project Description:
Establishing a 'Slow Living' brand for Settle through professional PR and marketing, led by a business partnership to increase visitor dwell time and economic resilience.

Grant Awarded:
£50,000

Vibrant Skipton

Lead Applicant Name:
Heart of Skipton

Project Description:
To improve the quality and attractiveness of the town for residents, visitors and businesses and improve economic growth.

Grant Awarded:
£62,015

York Family-Friendly City Centre Programme

Lead Applicant Name:
Little Vikings

Project Description:
A partnership programme that promotes independent businesses through city-centre mapping and QR-led discovery, family-friendly spaces, markets and events, encouraging families to choose York city centre.

Grant Awarded:
£49,900

Events Equipment Sharing Scheme - York

Lead Applicant Name:
York Food Festival

Project Description:
Creating a pool of 'free to use' equipment for events and community activities on the York high street, reducing costs, transport needs, and environmental impact.

Grant Awarded:
£46,300

Whitby Winter Event Expansion - Baxtergate & Beyond

Lead Applicant Name:
Psst! Marketing Ltd

Project Description:
Bringing local pride in the high street back to Whitby town centre and expanding the positive impact of Whitby Christmas Festivals into the winter season.

Grant Awarded:
£89,353

Welcome Where You Arrive: York's Hybrid Visitor Information Pilot

Lead Applicant Name:
English Heritage

Project Description:
Pilot hybrid visitor information hub at Clifford’s Tower, co-delivered by English Heritage and Visit York, improving visitor dispersal, dwell time, spend and high street resilience.

Grant Awarded:
£40,490

Bookmarked: Thirsk

Lead Applicant Name:
Rural Arts

Project Description:
Bookmarked: Thirsk is a vibrant year-long cultural programme transforming the High Street with creative events, community collaboration and inclusive placemaking, driving pride, wellbeing and regeneration.

Grant Awarded:
£115,149

Process and indicative timelines 

Milestone  Date 
Prospectus Launch & Applications Open  7th November 2025 
Applications Close  30th January 2026 
Application assessed  February – March 2026 
Internal approval and applicants informed  April 2026 
Full Fund announced  April 2026 
Delivery of Projects  May 2026 to December 2027 
Evaluation  January 2028