Fleetwood High Street Heritage Action Zone

Fleetwood is a planned Victorian new town designed for Sir Peter Hesketh-Fleetwood by eminent architect Decimus Burton in 1841. The town is characterised by its geometric plan, with squares, crescents and radial roads. It was once a thriving fishing town and the fish processing industry is still a local employer, as is manufacture of traditional lozenges Fisherman's Friends, made in Fleetwood since 1865. But deep sea fishing has declined, the Stena ferry to Ireland closed in 2010 and the ICI chemical plant, a big employer, also closed down, leading to increased unemployment and a decline in visitor numbers.

Vacancies have been increasing over the past few years on the high street, defined by its decorative red brick buildings, which has attracted vandalism and anti-social behaviour. Poor maintenance and low quality signage up and down the high street have also affected its character.

How the Fleetwood High Street Heritage Action Zone will help

The aim of this High Street Heritage Action Zone is to create a natural gateway into the town centre, bringing more visitors from the market, the main draw for visitors to the town, and the seafront onto the high street. It will complement projects going on elsewhere in the town, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Coastal Revival Fund.

With £1,792,362 of Government funding, delivered through Historic England, the project will see key historic buildings revived and each step of the project will be community focused, with a cultural programme that builds on the already vibrant local arts scene that the town enjoys.

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Working in partnership with

• Wyre Council