The purpose of Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund Phase Two 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.
Applications for Phase Two of the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund are now closed. Applications are now being assessed. We aim to announce successful projects in October 2025.
To see successful applications from Phase One, click here.
Latest Updates
Vibrant and Sustainable High Street Fund Phase Two webinar series now available
23.06.25 Phase Two now open.
27.05.25 – Successful Applicants Announced For Phase One of Mayor’s High Street Fund
21.03.25 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.
25.02.25 Spark:York founder backs High Street Fund to boost city – York Press
About the Programme
High Streets across the UK are facing significant challenges. Here in York and North Yorkshire they have long been part of the social, economic and cultural fabric – driving the local economy, providing jobs, supporting small businesses, serving as social hubs and contributing to a sense of place.
However, over a number of years many have been in decline, with dramatic changes caused by multiple factors, including the Covid-19 pandemic, out-of-town retail facilities, home-working, online shopping and increased cost-of-living. The impact of which has been reduced footfall, reduction in investment and an uncertainty in the future of our High Streets.
Even though High Street decline is often caused by a common set of factors, no two locality areas are the same. In York and North Yorkshire, we recognise our differences and seek to use these differences to our advantage when considering solutions to improving the vibrancy and sustainability of our High Streets.
Key Objectives and 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.
Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund Phase Three
Phase Three of the Vibrant and Sustainable High Street Fund will launch in Autumn 2025.
The fund will support ‘Local Partnerships’. Individual businesses and/or community organisations are encouraged to come together as a collective to form a ‘local partnership’ with a shared goal that represents the interests of the High Street. Local partnerships may be a formally constituted organisation or an informal partnership.
Our High Streets Team and the Local Authority Business Support Teams are working across the region to offer advice and support. If you would like to find out more about the fund or discuss ideas for your local High Street with us, please get in touch.
Find the High Street Coordinator for your area here.
Find your Local Authority Business Advisors for York and North Yorkshire.
Useful Documents
- York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority – Economic Framework
- York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority – Mayor’s Vision
- York and North Yorkshire Routemap to Carbon Negative – (Summary Document)
- Guide to Developing the Project Business Case – Chapter 2 outlines HM Treasury’s 5 Cases Methodology
- UK subsidy control regime: statutory guidance – GOV.UK
- FSB | The Future of the High Street
- 25 Vital and Viable Priorities | Institute of Place Management
- Taking Back the High Street – Power to Change
- High Streets and Town Centres in 2030 – Report Summary – Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
- The High Street Report – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (2018 to 2021)
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.
