Chester to receive funds to update the city centre

Chester will be among 69 high streets across England that will benefit from a £95 million fund to revive historic shopping areas.

Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan said: “Our nation’s heritage is one of our great calling cards to the world, attracting millions of visitors to beautiful historic buildings that sit at the heart of our communities.

“It is right that we ensure these buildings are preserved for future generations but it is important that we make them work for the modern world.”

Funding for the projects had already been earmarked earlier this year, with towns and cities invited to apply in May, and sees £40 million from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and £52 million from the Government’s Future High Street Fund.

A further £3 million will also be provided by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The majority of the cash will be spent on essential repairs to historic buildings, develop educational projects to turn the sites into community hubs, and help increase skills shortages in areas like stonemasonry.

Communities Secretary of State Robert Jenrick said: “Today’s funding, part of the £3.6 billion we have committed to helping towns across the country, will revitalise much-loved historic buildings, helping to reverse the decline of our town centres.”