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 |

