RETAIL THERAPY

We're often told to focus on the future at the expense of the past... but a pioneering scheme to return high streets to their original appearance has produced some incredible results, even restoring pride to local communities

- By Kat Hopps

THE transformations are stunning. Gone are the tacky, overblown plastic shop signs, peeling paint and boarded up windows. In their place have emerged some truly beautiful traditional buildings harking back to a more genteel era of retail. The incredible makeover of 67 high streets is the result of an Historic England-led regeneration programme that repaired 723 historic buildings, restored 462 shopfronts and brought vacant buildings back into use.

The scheme, which began during the pandemic, created more than 700 jobs worth £34million while delivering a return of £1.34 for every £1 invested — with total benefits from the programme valued at more than £245million.