High Street Heritage Action Zone

Latest update 23 July 2024

Herefordshire Council wrote to Leominster Town Centre businesses on 12 July with an update on the Public Realm project.

The letter outlined some difficulties with drainage and the sourcing of materials experienced by the project team which has culminated in a programme delay - with works now due to complete on 29 November 2024.

Herefordshire Council recognise the inconvenience Leominster will see as result of the above and we have acted to mitigate the impact as much as possible. As a result, all of the work to the High Street, Corn Street, Victoria Street and Iron Cross will be complete within the existing project timescales by the end of September. This means that only the work to Corn Square will remain unfinished and this work will continue until the end of November.

Additionally, we are introducing the following:

1. Free parking - from 7 August two hours free parking in Etnam Street Car Park for the duration of the improvement work.
2. Promotion of Leominster - funding to be provided by Herefordshire Council to support the promotion of events and festivals in Leominster. A total of £2,500 will be made available and we will be liaising with local businesses and Leominster Town Council on how this can be allocated most effectively.
3. Support for events affected by the work - we understand the extension of this work may impact on planned events. We are keen to ensure the events continue and we will provide support to the organisers to help facilitate these where possible.
4. Signage - Some businesses and residents have expressed concern about the placement of signs and safety barriers. We are committed to minimising disruption where possible and if notified of any concerns we will work with the contractors to alter signage.
5. Herefordshire County Business Improvement District have, we understand, also separately committed to support businesses in Leominster, including committing to supporting up to £10,000 of marketing activities.

There will be a residents and businesses meeting on Tuesday 23 July at Grange Court from 5.30pm.

Improvement work planned for week commencing 22 July 2024

• Kerbing along north west High Street
• Paving to north west High Street proceeding south
• Works to Victoria Street
• Drainage to Corn Square pending design approvals

Improvement work planned for week commencing 15 July 2024

• Continue with High Street carriageway and pavements, north end, east side:
  • Extending existing concrete slab under pavements
  • Further new kerb installations, including kerb foundations
  • Removing existing pavings on next section of pavement
  • Further new pavings laid
• Continue with High Street carriageway and pavements, junction with Victoria Street to re-establish pedestrian walk routes
• Kerbs continuing to north west side of High Street
  • Once complete section of footpath works will be started
• Start excavation and filling works to Victoria Street to Compound
• Continue investigations and planned remedial works to existing basement structures NE side of High Street

Improvement work completed week commencing 1 July

• High Street drainage works
• New raised crossing at north end of High Street started
• Removal of existing base course on Victoria Street started
• Remedial works to existing manholes in Corn Square

Improvement work completed week commencing 24 June 2024

• Continued work on High Street carriageway and pavements, north end, east side:
  • Extending existing concrete slab under pavements
  • Further new kerb installations, including kerb foundations
  • Further existing paving removed
  • Commence laying of new pavings
• Victoria Street - continued investigations and preparation work
• Continued remedial works to existing manholes in Corn Square

Improvement work completed week commencing 17 June 2024

• High Street drainage:
  • Preparations for drainage work
• High Street carriageway and pavements (north end, east side):
  • Existing paving slabs removed
  • New kerb foundation installed down to Vine and Juniper
  • Kerbs installation commenced

• Victoria Street - preparation work underway
• Corn Square drainage - Remedial works to existing storm water drainage started

Public spaces improvements

Improvements to the roads and pavings in the High Street and Corn Square started on 7 May.

The road and pavement surfaces were removed and pedestrian safety railings installed. Despite every effort to survey the drainage during the design stage, unexpected repairs and improvements to the drainage installations have been found to be needed, and the design work for this has delayed progress.

Following the drainage works in each area, the next step will be to replace the kerb stones. As the kerbs are installed through an area, paving installation will start.

Improvements to the road surface will be staggered with the improvements to the footpaths. The intention is to open up areas as the improvements in that area are completed. Pedestrian access to businesses and residences will be maintained at all times.

Whilst we are currently working to programme, the above issues may contribute to a time extension and we will keep you informed as we progress.

The improvements to the town, nationally recognised for its historic importance, will see the High Street, Iron Cross, Victoria Street and Corn Street enhanced with attractive surfacing, improved paving, wider pavements and raised tables at the major junctions, making it safer and more accessible for pedestrians. The paving in Corn Square will be refurbished and the road and parking area will be resurfaced.

Works to remove two trees from Corn Square took place over the weekend of 20 and 21 April 2024. This will make way for new trees and seating. The replacement planting will include other suitable trees, together with native planting for seasonal interest and habitat.

All areas will remain open to pedestrians during the work, however, there will be road closures in place. Details have been shared with local businesses and event organisers. All town car parks, with the exception of Corn Square are unaffected.

Further information about our public spaces improvements is in the public realm frequently asked questions (FAQs).

About the Leominster High Street Heritage Action Zone Scheme

Leominster town centre is benefitting from the multi-million pound High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) Fund, which seeks to breathe new life into high streets that are rich in heritage and potential.

Leominster was one of a number of high streets in England which received a share of the £95 million government fund for heritage regeneration projects, led by Historic England working with local councils and the community. The Leominster scheme was awarded £1.3 million Historic England grant funding which is matched by £1.885 million funding from Herefordshire Council.

This major investment has already transformed buildings with improvements to structure and facades to reflect the original detail, restoring local historic character and heritage features.

Herefordshire Council and Leominster Town Council are working in partnership with residents, businesses and community groups to deliver a range of projects, agreed with Historic England, which aim to renew and rejuvenate Leominster's High Street and Conservation Area.

Now in its final year, the projects in the Leominster HSHAZ Scheme, which were identified through public consultation and discussion with Historic England, include:

• Improvements to public spaces, with a focus on Corn Square
• Grants programme to renovate and restore key historic buildings
• A series of small-scale grant funded projects to repair and repaint shop fronts and shop signs
• The introduction of free public Wi-Fi and footfall counters in the town centre
• Web-based heritage app for promotion of Leominster's history, tourism and retail offerings
• Heritage trails around the town including a Children's Trail and a new Historic Shop Trail
• Conservation Area Appraisal to help to protect Leominster's architecture and ensure that new developments are in keeping with Leominster's unique townscape
• Conservation Management Plan to help inform and advise in respect of future planning applications and build on the monies already invested in Leominster
• Heritage building owners support and resources which seeks to encourage and empower local heritage building owners and occupiers to properly maintain and care for their buildings and
• The Light Up Leominster Christmas 2023 event

Grant schemes

Both grant schemes are now closed for expressions of interest. Thank you to everyone who has applied. We are delighted that so many people wanted to get involved in helping Leominster preserve its historical townscape and rebuilding its vibrancy.

Buildings which benefited from the initial grant scheme include the Rankin Club in Corn Square; Parry's Fruit & Veg on the High Street; 26 & 26A Broad Street. These buildings have all seen external structural and aesthetic improvements.

The Old Priory has also benefitted from surveys and feasibility studies to help review future uses for this most historic building.

Conservation Area Appraisal

Part two of the consultation on revised proposals to extend Leominster's existing historic market town centre Conservation Area is now closed. A full report will be available early 2024.

View the consultation on Leominster Heritage Action Zone Conservation Area Appraisal

Further information

You can discover more about Leominster's history, buildings, art and people at Leominster Heart & Heritage.

For further information on projects in the Leominster HSHAZ Scheme, please email LeominsterHSHAZ@herefordshire.gov.uk