£1.85m granted to revitalise Prescot’s heritage

£1.85m granted to revitalise Prescot’s heritage

The project will see the repair and restoration of the town’s historic fabric to improve it’s overall appearance and emphasise Prescot’s rich heritage, as well as help to find new uses for vacant and underused premises. The physical works will include the replacement of dilapidated, or inappropriate modern shop fronts with a more traditional design to reinstate the original look and feel of the high street.

The project will also include a wide variety of educational work and community events. A training programme will give local people historic skills, as well as providing recognised qualifications to give them a foothold on a career in conservation construction and restoration.

The majority of the works will be focused around Market Place and Eccleston Street to improve links between the modern retail park and traditional town centre in Prescot.

Cllr Dave Lonergan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills at Knowsley, said: “This is a fantastic boost for Prescot, which will bring huge benefits for all residents of Prescot and the wider borough. It will help to provide a more attractive and vibrant town centre, with historic buildings revived and empty premises brought back to use, but it will also give local people an opportunity to learn new skills and possibly a career in conservation and restoration.”

Sara Hilton, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said: “HLF investment goes well beyond the bricks and mortar of a building. THI schemes can really help turn around local economies, not only by improving how the look and feel of our towns and high streets, but by prompting business start-ups and creating new jobs and training opportunities. We are delighted to be able to work with Knowsley Council in helping boost the fortunes of Prescot’s historic town centre.”

The five year programme is due to commence in the Spring 2013.

Notes to editors

• Bid process - Knowsley Council’s bid was given a Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) first-round pass, which means money had been set aside by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the scheme in question. Competition at this stage was tough. Knowsley Council then progressed to the second round and submitted a further, fully-developed application to secure the full award. 

• 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 more than £200m regenerating towns.

Further information

Prescot Council Communications Team on 0151 443 3536.

If you query is regarding our application portal, please contact our support team.