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The building to benefit from funding is a prominent Weston landmark on the corner of the High Street and Regent Street. It is known locally as the ‘old Kendall’s building’ named after a retailer that occupied one of the retail units in the mid-1900s.
The building now houses eleven business units including Greggs, Weston Hospicecare and Coffee #1.
Work is expected to take approximately 10 weeks, and includes:
- restoring the tiling work in place on the building’s original façade, and
- restoring the railings and canopy on the upper floor.
Chris Tippetts, Partner at chartered surveyors Molyneux Rose LLP, advisors to the building’s landlords, said: “We’re delighted to be involved with this scheme to see the restoration of this Weston landmark and to bring the building back to its former glory.
“I would like to take this opportunity to reassure customers that all retail units will remain open throughout the works.”
Councillor Mark Canniford, Executive Member for Business, Economy and Employment at North Somerset Council, said: “It’s exciting to see work starting on Weston’s third shopfront enhancement project.
“Given the size and location of this building, the work is going to make such a positive difference to the appearance of the town centre. In turn – along with the other shopfront enhancement scheme projects already started, on site and in the pipeline – this will encourage more footfall and trade.”
Rebecca Barrett, Regional Director at Historic England, said: “This is another important milestone for the Weston High Street HAZ. Reinstating this historic shopfront will make a big difference to the town centre, restoring its character and adding vibrancy to the area. We can’t wait to see the results.”
The council's Heritage and Design Team is appealing for anyone who has information about the history of the building to come forward. Those with photographs of it in their archive or with memories of shopping in the units, perhaps in Kendall's, are encouraged to come forward and contact the team at dm.archaeology@n-somerset.gov.uk
The first two businesses to take advantage of the town’s Shopfront Enhancement Scheme were family-run department store Walker and Ling, followed by the Fork n Ale Taproom and Kitchen, a popular town centre independent restaurant, bar and music venue.
Funded by Historic England, the shopfront enhancement scheme is open to priority properties within Weston’s Heritage Action Zones.
Weston has two Heritage Action Zones in its town centre thanks to a combined investment of £2m from Historic England. The Shopfront Enhancement Scheme is part of this work and will run until March 2024. More details can be found at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/heritageactionzone
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Weston-super-Mare has both a Heritage Action Zone and High Street Heritage Action Zone.
Great Weston Heritage Action Zone
- North Somerset Council was awarded £800k funding and Heritage Action Zone status by Historic England in 2017. It was one of the first places in England to receive this status. There are now 18 Heritage Action Zones in villages, towns and cities across England.
High Street Heritage Action Zone
- In 2020, North Somerset Council received a further investment of £1.1m from Historic England when it was awarded High Street Heritage Action Zone status. It is one of over 60 High Street Heritage Action Zones across England, which work to unlock the potential of historic high streets, while fuelling economic, social and cultural recovery.
For more information, visit the Historic England website: https://historicengland.org.uk/services-skills/heritage-action-zones
About High Streets Heritage Action Zones
The High Streets Heritage Action Zones is a £95 million government-funded programme led by Historic England and designed to secure lasting improvements to our historic high streets for the communities who use them. Historic England is working with local people and partners through grant funding and sharing our skills to help breathe new life into high streets that are rich in heritage and full of promise – unlocking their potential and making them more attractive to residents, businesses, tourists and investors. The High Streets Heritage Action Zones scheme, backed by government funding, aims to help with the recovery of local high streets from regenerating historic buildings to helping to engage local communities through art and cultural projects. https://historicengland.org.uk/services-skills/heritage-action-zones/regenerating-historic-high-streets/
About Historic England
We are Historic England the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England’s spectacular historic environment, from beaches and battlefields to parks and pie shops. We protect, champion and save the places that define who we are and where we’ve come from as a nation. We care passionately about the stories these places tell, the ideas they represent and the people who live, work and play among them. Working with communities and specialists we share our passion, knowledge and skills to inspire interest, care and conservation, so everyone can keep enjoying and looking after the history that surrounds us all. https://historicengland.org.uk/
