The £1.5m scheme has been made possible with £750,000 awarded under the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) THI scheme*, which funds the regeneration of historic areas with serious social and economic needs, and a further £750,000 from Wakefield Council. 

The initiative will see projects focusing on the repair and restoration of selected historic buildings taking place across the area. Owners of selected buildings will be able to apply for funding to undertake restoration and repair works.

It will be an opportunity to safeguard the town’s historic buildings, ensuring future generations can enjoy its rich heritage representing centuries of development.

An exciting day of activities took place from 11am – 3.30pm:

• Pontefract Castle saw demonstrations of traditional building crafts such as stained glass making, traditional timber working and mud construction. Visitors to the castle were also treated to historic re-enactments, stalls and activities thanks to the Pontefract Heritage Group’s Fun Day

• Those visiting the market were able to find out more about the initiative at a special Townscape Heritage Initiative stall. There was also the opportunity to take part in a guided tour around the centre courtesy of the Civic Society
 
Cllr Denise Jeffery, Wakefield Council Deputy Leader and Portfolio holder for Regeneration, said: “It’s great to see the rich heritage of Pontefract Town Centre being acknowledged and appreciated. With the council working in partnership with the Heritage Lottery Fund team we will be able to restore and secure the future of a number of buildings. The launch day was a great chance for visitors to learn more about the initiative and discover the history roots of the region.”

Fiona Spiers, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “The THI scheme is a great way of using heritage as a springboard for regeneration and investment. We recognise the rich heritage in Pontefract and look forward to the start of these projects.”

Notes to editors

HLF has supported 30,000 projects, allocating £4.5billion across the UK, including £351m in Yorkshire & the Humber alone. 

*HLF’s Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) encourages partnerships of local organisations to carry out repairs and other works to a number of historic buildings, structures or spaces.  Grants range from £500,000 to £2m. To date, HLF has invested almost £200m regenerating towns that have suffered serious social and economic decline.

Further  information

Contact Andrew Woodhead on 01924 304 962 or
Julian Ellis on 01924 304 956.