High Street Heritage Action Zone

Latest update 18 April 2024.

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.

Public spaces improvements

Preparations are underway ready for improvement works to start in Leominster in May

Visitors to Leominster's historic town centre will soon notice preparations being made for improvement works to streets and pavements in Leominster's historic town centre, due to start on Tuesday 7 May 2024.

The improvements 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.

The first stage of work is to remove two trees from Corn Square to make way for new trees and seating. This will take place from Saturday 20 April 2024. The Robinia will be moved to Sydonia Park (if possible), however the cherry tree has been found to be near the end of its natural life due to constrained growth, so will be removed. The replacement planting will include other suitable trees, together with native planting for seasonal interest and habitat.

The improvement work to the paving, road surfacing, seating and planting will start following the Leominster May Fair and is expected to be completed in September 2024. All areas will remain open to pedestrians during the work, however, there will be road closures in place. Details will be shared with local businesses and event organisers.

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

About the Leominster HSHAZ Scheme

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