First grant awards approved for Prescot THI

Go ahead given for seven new homes and a commercial unit in empty town centre buildings

A further milestone in revitalising Prescot’s historic buildings and breathe new life into the town centre has been reached as the first outline grant applications for the Prescot Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) were approved yesterday.

The THI Partnership Board is now established and at its meeting on Wednesday 9 October, four outline applications for grant funding, totalling £300,000, were approved. This will be used to repair, restore and reuse a number of historic properties in the town centre. A total of seven new homes and a new commercial unit will be provided in the empty floors of the four buildings.

The properties are on Eccleston Street, Market Place, Atherton Street and High Street. Following the detailed works and costings being approved by the Partnership Board at a future meeting, work is expected to commence on all four approved buildings in the Spring next year.

The THI Board includes local councillors, local business representatives including the Chamber of Commerce, Prescot Town Team and Knowsley Hall, and heritage interest representatives such as Prescot Heritage Hub, Shakespeare North and the North West Heritage Skills Academy.

Cllr Dave Lonergan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills and Chairman of the Prescot THI Board, “This demonstrates our commitment to bring vacant and under-used buildings back into use as well as carrying out building repairs which will improve their longevity. As well as improving the overall appearance in the town centre, the THI project will enrich Prescot’s rich heritage and revitalise the town centre. I look forward to building on the improvements made on Leyland Street and seeing further projects commencing early next year.”

The Prescot Townscape Heritage Initiative has been awarded £1.85 million funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. It commenced in March this year and will run for five years.

Already, highway improvements to Leyland Street have been completed as part of the programme. The £310,000 investment has restored the area to its original glory. The improvements have used traditional paving materials to update pavements, the road resurfaced, new trees planted, improved street lighting as well as a new, attractive space to host events and performances in the heart of the town centre.

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

For information on specific projects and regular THI updates, visit www.prescotthi.org.uk or follow the THI’s twitter profile @prescotthi

Photo attached – improvements to Leyland Street completed

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