The purpose of the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund is to rejuvenate and reanimate high streets across York and North Yorkshire, with key objectives including boosting resilience among businesses, supporting businesses to expand their offer and increasing events and activities that can attract residents and visitors to high streets.

An indicative £10 million funding across 2024 to 2028 approved in principle.

Latest Updates

We will keep you updated with the latest news here as this fund progresses.

Funding

• £10 million will be available over four years (September 24 to March 28).
• A series of pilot projects and a grant programme open to local partnerships representing High Streets across York and North Yorkshire.
• The programme is likely to fund projects that support the growth and resilience of small businesses on the High Street, improve the appearance and experience of the high street, and build leadership, partnership and networking opportunities for High Street stakeholders. It is expected that a combination of revenue and capital funding will be available.

Key Outcomes

• Support High Street businesses to improve their resilience, expand their offer, introduce new goods and services and increase turnover.​
• Increase the number of events and activities attracting visitors (including residents) to High Streets.​
• Reduce the number of vacant units (where it’s an issue) and increase footfall (where it is currently low).​
• Improve perceptions of high streets within local communities and external visitor groups.

Next Steps

• Proposals for pilot activity discussed with High Street Forum stakeholder group – Oct 24.
• Ongoing engagement with key stakeholders in the development of the prospectus and determination of programme criteria.
• Publish details of pilot activity and commence delivery.
• Launch prospectus for open grant programme and invite applications from High Street groups.

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