We have known for years that the high street model as we know it is broken, but now change is happening across all corners of the UK.
A quiet revolution on many of our high streets has been growing in strength as more and more heritage buildings are being reclaimed and repurposed as arts and cultural centres at the heart of many of our communities – much of it powered by grassroots community needs and creative entrepreneurs.
Department stores, a former hat factory, a post-office, accommodation for firemen, banks, a courthouse, and Victorian warehouses have all had support from the Architectural Heritage Fund to transform these unused or derelict heritage buildings into arts and cultural centres across the UK. Once reopened, each provides a revitalised experience on the high street, a greater sense of community and creates purpose-driven regeneration.
Over the past year, the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) has made 169 grants totalling over £4.5 million across ten grants programmes and 16 loan offers totalling £3,310,434. These funds, detailed in the charity’s Annual Review 2023-24 which was published last week, are crucial in ensuring that heritage buildings are saved from disrepair and given a new lease of a life as a functioning heart of a high street or town centre.
Image: HatWorks, a former hat factory in Luton turned shared space for creative entrepreneurs - Shaun Armstrong.
Matthew Mckeague, CEO of the Architectural Heritage Fund, said: “The Architectural Heritage Fund is about bringing new life to old buildings and giving them a purpose in their communities. Many of our high streets have taken some hard knocks over the last few years and a lot of our work is looking at how we can help reimagine and reshape them in the 21st century.
“We have seen a significant and growing number of buildings that are now - or will be - being used for arts and culture. This is potentially a response to local authorities cutting budgets in this area alongside communities taking things into their own hands. But there is no doubt that what is coming to the fore is the need for arts and culture as part of our lives, in buildings that are right at the heart of many communities. These cultural projects are being increasingly recognised as important social infrastructure and make people excited, and motivated, to visit their town centre. We use our funding, advice and support to help make these visions a reality, creating a quiet revolution on our high streets as part of the process.”
In England, Scotland and Wales former department stores that have been empty for years are gradually being repurposed and brought back to life:
- 'Department’ in Ryde, Isle of Wight this former high street icon – formerly The Packs – is being transformed into a creative hub and vibrant events venue. Once complete in spring 2025, a fully equipped workshop, photography studio, events space, ‘Made in Ryde’ shop and café are just some of the new spaces that will be available to all.
- The original JT Morgan Department Store had been a staple of Swansea high street since 1961 but has been vacant since it went into administration in 2008. Now, this striking building is becoming an arts centre which will boast a brand-new gallery, darkroom, exhibition space and over 50 studio spaces for charities and freelancers in the creative industry. This project is in the early stages.
- Huntly’s (nr Inverness) listed former department store has transformed into Number 30, The Square - a fully accessible, sustainably refurbished multi-purpose venue, which includes an impressive 67-seat cinema/multipurpose performance space where locals and visitors can watch mainstream films and live-streamed ballet, opera, sporting fixtures and gaming events. The building has very quickly become a gathering space and focal centre of Huntly, together with the beautiful gallery which has exhibited art, music and heritage events attended by hundreds of people, creating a new cultural heart in the town.
Carolyn Powell, Joint General Manager at Huntly Development Trust, said: “We are delighted that since recently opening Number 30 the community and its visitors have embraced this facility and are coming back again and again. It’s brought new life to Huntly Town Centre and we’re hugely grateful to all those who supported this ambitious venture and saw its potential for transformation.”
A range of other heritage buildings are also coming back into use as part of this movement:
- The Grade II listed post office in Haverfordwest stood at the centre of this Welsh market town since the 1930s. Following its closure in 2014 it has since been transformed into ‘Haverhub’ - a thriving community centre offering live music, an events space, courtyard community garden, new café and bar.
- The former home of West Ham Fire Brigade in East London is being converted into an affordable studio space for 80 artists and makers to ensure a long and prosperous future for the building and the industry it seeks to support. Half of this building is already open, and once finished, there will also be a landscaped public courtyard, community café and exhibition space.
- A Victorian listed building that was originally built as a bank in 1866 and was converted to a magistrate’s court in 1954, that has been reborn as an independent local music and arts venue. Despite being empty for several years, The Court House in Bangor, Northern Ireland, has become the beating heart of the seaside town’s flourishing music and arts scene.
With their huge capacity and prominence in town centres, transforming empty factories, warehouses and industrial spaces is a fantastic way to reignite a high street:
- A former hat factory in Luton has become a shared workspace for creative entrepreneurs, right in the centre of town. Perfect for makers, designers, artists and graduates, Hat Works is now an affordable members’ space where likeminded users can network, share ideas and skills, and start new businesses.
- In Belfast, a four-storey 1800s ironmongery warehouse is being repaired with the goal of being brought back to permanent use. It’ll become an eclectic venue for arts and performances, as well as co-working office space. It’ll offer commercial units, too. Essential repair works are underway, with a projected opening in early 2025,
Matthew Mckeague continued: ‘The Architectural Heritage Fund often provides early feasibility funding for projects, as well as longer term advice and guidance to help navigate the various complex needs and requirements to get our wonderful heritage buildings back into public use.
‘However, much of the work we do is in partnership with other funders such as Arts Council England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other statutory heritage bodies in each of the four nations, and it is this collective effort that is helping support a quiet revolution on our high streets.’
To find out more about the Architectural Heritage Fund and its vital ongoing work to preserve the UK’s heritage buildings – and to read details of its Annual Review 2023-24, visit www.ahfund.org.uk.
