First round of funding secured to revitalise some of Wrexham town centre’s most historical buildings

Work to revitalise some of the town’s most historic buildings and bring others back into use has taken a step forward after external funding was secured by Wrexham Council.

In November 2017 Wrexham.com reported that work had begun on a National Lottery funding bid with the aim of regenerating some of the most historical buildings within the town centre’s Conservation Area. Such buildings include the Butchers Market and some of the older properties on both High Street and Hope Street.

Today Wrexham Council announced it had been successful in securing initial support of £65,000, with a chance to apply for a further £1.52m once plans have been developed further.

Along with the physical regeneration of some of the town centre buildings, Wrexham Council say the plans will also provide a collaboration with ongoing training for traditional building skills, such as: plastering using hot lime mixes, using traditional joinery techniques and generally taking care of historically important features in listed or important buildings.

Once the scheme gets underway local business owners will also have the chance to improve the appearance of their properties through alteration works and reinstating lost traditional features.

It is hoped that vacant and under-used buildings and buildings can be brought back into use – something which is often criticised online.

Work will now begin on a bid to secure a second round of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Cllr Terry Evans, lead member for economic performance and regeneration, said the initial funding boost was “very promising” and that work could start as soon as next year if the round two bid is successful.

“This is great news, and I’m very pleased to hear we’ve been successful in our efforts,” said Cllr Evans.

“I’d like to thank the National Lottery players, by playing the Lottery they are making a huge difference to towns like ours.

“Thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund for approving our bid, and thanks also go to officers for all the hard work they put into the bid – there’s never a guarantee that we get something like this when putting a bid forward, so their hard work and effort deserves recognition.”

He added: “This won’t all happen in one go – if all goes well with the Round 2 bid, work won’t commence until next year, so there’s still everything to play for.

“But it’s still very promising, and if successful, this work would fit in with a lot of other regeneration work going on in Wrexham Town Centre.”