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.
This is the page for Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund Phase One. Phase Two can be found here.
Latest Updates
23.06.25 Phase Two launched
27.05.25 – Successful Applicants Announced For Phase One of Mayor’s Vibrant and Sustainable 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
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.
Next Steps
- Ongoing engagement with the York and North Yorkshire High Street Forum and other stakeholders for the further development of the programme.
- Appraisal of Phase One applications has been completed with successful awards announced. Delivery of Phase One projects has commenced.
- Phase Two to launching June 2025.
Successful Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund Phase One Applicants
18 projects led by local partnerships were successful in applying for funding from Phase One.
Any uncommitted allocation of Phase One funds will roll over into Phase Two.
A marketing strategy for Richmond
Lead Applicant
ORBTA – Original Richmond Business and Tourism Association
Project Description
Development of a longer-term marketing strategy for Richmond to ensure sustainable tourism growth and develop a strong brand identity.
Amount Awarded
£25,000.00
This is Scarborough Pilot Project
Lead Applicant
This is Scarborough
Project Description
A joined-up, place-based, branding, marketing and engagement project using print, innovative digital tools and a physical high street hub to engage locals, businesses and visitors.
Amount Awarded
£35,810.00
Kirkbymoorside Gateway to the Moors Music Festival 2025
Lead Applicant
Kirkbymoorside Community Support Group
Project Description
A 3-day music festival (1st-3rd Aug 2025) in Kirkbymoorside, showcasing diverse genres across multiple venues, bringing the town centre alive with music and community spirit.
Amount Awarded
£14,609.07
Buzzing Skipton
Lead Applicant
Skipton BID Ltd
Project Description
Improve the appearance and environment of five self-contained, neglected/overlooked areas around the town by introducing seasonal native planting, bug hotels, nature meadow boxes to attract wildlife and will also bring community planting days, creative-led workshops and art/sculpture to the five areas.
Amount Awarded
£32,680.00
Putting the Wow into Wheelgate (for the Malton majority)
Lead Applicant
Circular Malton & Norton CIC
Project Description
Using the Circular economy hub relocation to Wheelgate to engage businesses of the benefits of a circular economy, activate a new business forum, create a unique identity for the street, co-design and deliver quick actions to begin transformation and revitalisation of the street, with an events programme with the aim to create a pipeline of future ideas.
Amount Awarded
£39,746.40
Skipton Pride on the High Street 2025
Lead Applicant
Skipton Pride CIO
Project Description
Bringing people together for a celebration of music, dance, drag and DJs on Skipton High Street for the very first time.
Amount Awarded
£14,648.00
Thirsk and Sowerby Festival
Lead Applicant
Thirsk and Sowerby Festival
Project Description
Enhancing the volunteer-led ‘Thirsk and Sowerby Festival 2025’ to expand its offer and boost community engagement.
Amount Awarded
£9,000.00
Walmgate Re-framed: New Expressions of High Street and Community for the City of York
Lead Applicant
University of York
Project Description
Builds on the Walmgate Improvement plan to create a pilot for new City-wide approaches to creative place-making and celebrating the community through new artistic work with York’s Creatives. Focusing on immersive digital arts concepts installed on Walmgate, temporary and permanent art, workshops and event to unveil the commissioned work and share the process and concepts.
Amount Awarded
£37,700.00
Bentham Boost Partnership
Lead Applicant
Bentham Town Council
Project Description
To strengthen Bentham Boost Partnership, locally led activity, to progress the development of schemes detailed within the Bentham-Masterplan and to support the improvement of High Street infrastructure through a programme of training and networking events, options appraisal for multi-functional event space, improvement of town centre accessibility and transformation of heritage trail.
Amount Awarded
£40,000.00
Selby Charity Shop Reuse and Recycling Partnership
Lead Applicant
Up for Yorkshire
Project Description
A collaborative partnership of Selby charity shops enhancing the vibrancy and sustainability of the high street through innovative reuse and recycling strategy and public campaign.
Amount Awarded
£34,036.92
Thinking creatively about the high street
Lead Applicant
Fabrication Crafts Ltd
Project Description
To create sustainable high street creative hubs for local artists and makers, including retail, workshops, events and studio spaces and a Stonegate Traders Association.
Amount Awarded
£32,500.00
Improving Prosperity in Pickering
Lead Applicant
Pickering Town CIC
Project Description
Continuation of three years of successful work by PTCIC, focusing further on strengthening the local economy, improving the Tourism offer and regenerating our Market Place.
Amount Awarded
£32,000.00
Vacant Shops Academy audit in Harrogate
Lead Applicant
Harrogate BID
Project Description
Vacant Shops Academy full audit of Harrogate town centre to support future initiatives.
Amount Awarded
£7,330.00
Peculiarly Masham
Lead Applicant
Mashamshire Community Office
Project Description
Creating a distinctive identity encompassing the history and people of Masham. To include events and activities, brand activity, flyers, interactive map, history tour, edible planters, signage, shop local campaign.
Amount Awarded
£39,890.00
Totally Locally Tadcaster
Lead Applicant
Tadcaster and Rural Community Interest Company
Project Description
To promote and support the renewal of Tadcaster’s high street, through pro-active town centre management and promotion and delivery of new projects under the Totally Locally banner.
Amount Awarded
£25,500.00
Data Intelligence Hub
Lead Applicant
The York BID / Harrogate BID
Project Description
Investing in advanced spend data to provide critical insights for strategic leaders and stakeholders to make informed decisions and deliver vibrant and resilient high streets.
Amount Awarded
£39,300 (York BID)
£32,670 (Harrogate BID)
Totally Locally - Sustainable Market Towns, North Yorkshire
Lead Applicant
Totally Locally
Project Description
Boost North Yorkshire market towns by increasing footfall, supporting local businesses & supply chains.
Amount Awarded
£39,000.00
Revitalising Scarborough Town Centre
Lead Applicant
Stephen Joseph Theatre (SJT)
Project Description
A Scarborough town centre collaboration featuring world-class culture, business development and collaborative opportunities, plus community engagement to boost footfall, investment and ensure long-term impact.
Amount Awarded
£35,860.00
Ripon’s Magical Artisan Christmas Market
Lead Applicant
Ripon BID
Project Description
Enhancement of Ripon’s 3 day artisan Christmas market, to drive increased footfall into Ripon and support local businesses, entrepreneurs and makers.
Amount Awarded
£22,960
Northallerton High Street Deep Clean
Lead Applicant
Northallerton Business Improvement District
Project Description
A thorough deep clean of Northallerton’s High Street to enhance its attractiveness and perception amongst businesses, residents, and visitors. The clean will be followed by community-led rejuvenation days and an ongoing marketing campaign to raise awareness.
Amount Awarded
£22,000
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