Great Weston Heritage Action Zone

Helping the town's heritage play a part in its regeneration.

Weston-super-Mare is on the up. It's increasingly seen as a great place to live in, work in and visit, attracting new residents, businesses and a steady stream of visitors. The Great Weston Heritage Action Zone wants to catch this wave and help the town's heritage play a part in its regeneration.

Weston has seen an increase in its visitor economy in recent years, and with a multi-million pound regeneration of the Weston seafront and its stunning natural setting, this attractive destination is starting to offer much more to visitors and residents. But there is more to do to support Weston's broader economy, and that's why Heritage Action Zone will focus on the history and heritage of the town centre.

A new initiative from the Great Weston Heritage Action Zone will aim to help unlock the economic potential of historic sites in Weston by encouraging local partners to make use of their resources in a creative and focussed way, to enhance local places and achieve sustainable growth. Weston's beautiful, but often under appreciated, Victorian and early 20th century buildings stand ready to become new business premises and homes. The regeneration of Weston's historic shopfronts and public places will tempt more shoppers and attract new businesses. Better links between the town centre, railway station and seafront will make sure visitors don't miss all Weston has to offer.

How the Great Weston Heritage Action Zone will help

Over three years this Heritage Action Zone aims to boost economic growth and keep Weston on the map as a great place to live and work.

• Researching Weston's heritage and urban development, to inform a new book
• Reviewing Weston's listed buildings
• Bringing the town centre's historic buildings back into use as high quality homes
• Grant schemes to improve the public realm, shop signs and shopfronts
• New, clear heritage routes across the town, plus new pedestrian access to Weston Museum, Weston Town Square, the seafront and side lanes
• Improved design standards and quality in conservation areas and surrounding areas
• A local listing project
• Heritage health walks and a 'Looking Up' initiative to encourage appreciation of Weston's heritage

Partners

Led by North Somerset Council, the other partners are:

• Historic England
• Weston Town Council
• Homes & Communities Agency
• Weston-super-Mare Civic Society
• Weston Museum
• Weston Town Centre Partnership & Bid
• Weston College
• Weston Chamber of Commerce
• Federation Of Small Businesses (Weston branch)
• Voluntary Action North Somerset (VANS)
• Great Weston Great Places programme team (if funding awarded)
• Heritage Lottery Fund (via Great Places or through alternative arrangements linked to specific projects)
• Arts Council England (via Great Places or through alternative arrangements linked to specific projects)
• Heart of Weston Public Health Team
• Weston Town Centre Team (tbc)
• Avon & Somerset Police (tbc)

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