Refurbishment works on 58 & 58a Hope Street have been completed and is a significant delivery for the Wrexham Townscape Heritage Scheme (THS) programme that supports the protection of our city centre Conservation Area.
Grant funding secured under Wrexham THS scheme has enhanced the appearance, character and function of 58 & 58a Hope Street through appropriate repairs to the buildings historic fabric, reinstatement of lost architectural features and by bringing redundant upper floors back into viable use.
The building has retained the commercial unit on ground floor, with the upper floors converted into residential units, providing good quality, sustainable living spaces at the heart of Wrexham City Centre. The building owner has signed the 3 x 2 apartments over to the WCBC Private Lettings Agency supporting housing needs in the County Borough.
The building refurbishment funded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Townscape Heritage Scheme, has improved the character of the area, generating employment opportunities, as well as providing the opportunity to better utilise a prominent city centre building.
The regeneration works have been carried out in a way that complements and enhances the local heritage and traditional buildings in the city centre. Historically Wrexham has lost many of its traditional shop fronts where inappropriate materials and designs have been used that bear little relation to the traditional style of existing properties within the conservation area.
This is an ongoing problem in the city centre, but with the assistance of a grant under the THS programme,58 & 58a Hope street will be able to restore and reinstate appropriate architectural heritage features and styles, improving the overall appearance and character of the Conservation Area.
Cllr Nigel Williams, Lead Member for Economy, said: “I was recently shown around the newly refurbished building. “It’s a great example of how we are regenerating the City Centre to make it a more interesting, exciting and vibrant destination for both Wrexham residents and visitors, as well as committing to ongoing restoration of our conservation area.”
Property owner Julie Rowlands: “The help and advice I received from officers at Wrexham Council before and during the works was extremely valuable in seeing the project to fruition.” I’m delighted to see such a high grade of finish on the works and happy that this city centre building that had been underutilised for several years has been restored to its former glory and now providing business space as well as city centre living space.
“I really couldn’t have done it without help from Wrexham Council and the National Lottery grant funding, and I’m so pleased we’ve saved the building. Pleased to report all tenants, residential and commercial, are doing well and enjoying the building. “Builders also mentioned when they have been working on the building shoppers/general public have said how lovely the building is now and how lovely Wrexham is looking. We would like to thank National Lottery Players for the funding and support.”
