Wrexham is a town with a strong market history and a lot of fantastic historical assets to boot.
We’re already making use of Wrexham’s past as a market town in the development of Tŷ Pawb, a new arts, markets and community development.
But we’re also working on a funding bid which – if successful – could see even more of the town’s architectural jewels brought back to life, and make use of old Wrexham’s best assets to help build up the Wrexham of the future.
We’ll shortly submit an application for Townscape Heritage funding to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), which will help to enhance the distinct historic environment within Wrexham Town Centre Conservation Area.
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The scheme will be focused on some of the strongest historical assets right in the heart of Wrexham town centre.
A key element of our bid seeks to provide building owners, local people, agents, architects and contractors the chance to train and upskill in the restoration of older buildings and the use of traditional building skills.
We’re also working with our partners to develop a comprehensive and accessible training programme to support the people of Wrexham build their skills and access employment.
The application for the Townscape Heritage Scheme will be made in December to the HLF.
We’re hoping that the Stage 1 bid is successful, and if so, we can put together a Stage 2 bid, which will go to the HLF in April 2019.
And if all goes well, work could start on the town centre by autumn 2019.
If successful, the Townscape Heritage Scheme would provide funds to building owners to give them the chance to significantly enhance the appearance and usability of their properties through alteration work, reinstating lost traditional features and carrying out essential repairs.
Owners would also have the chance to help revive the town centre by bringing vacant and under-used buildings and upper floors into new use.
It would give us the chance to publicise the town centre’s distinctive architectural character, and compliment other ongoing programmes which are looking to regenerate the town centre.
We know that a lot of people will be interested in this project – there’s a lot of good work going on in the town centre at the moment, and building owners will be especially keen to hear what the project might mean for them and the properties they own – and, more broadly, the regeneration of Wrexham town centre.
Building owners and occupiers in the Town Centre are invited to an information event at Meeting Room 1 of the Guildhall, Wrexham, between 3pm and 7pm on Monday, November 6.
Officers will be on hand to discuss the bid and answer general questions, so if interested, your attendance would be welcome.
Cllr Terry Evans, Lead Member for Economic Performance and Regeneration, said: “If successful, this bid represents an excellent opportunity for Wrexham and its future regeneration.
“We’ve a lot of fantastic historical assets within the Conservation Area and the prospect of their being renovated, and those out of use being brought back in to commercial use, is very promising.
“I certainly hope this bid succeeds, and I’m very grateful to the officers involved for all the work they’ve put into it.”
Fill-in our questionnaire now, and make sure you have your say on proposed budget-savings.
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