A PROJECT to breathe new life into a run-down Coventry city centre street has been given a major government grant.
The government’s Department for Digital, Culture Media & Sport (DCMS) has announced £2million for the regeneration of The Burges – one of the city’s oldest shopping streets.
Plans include the restoration of existing building frontages and reinstatement of historic shopfronts.
They also seek to open up the hidden River Sherbourne in Palmer Lane to the rear as a new public square and tourist site.
The grant is part of the £44million High Streets Heritage Action Zone programme led by the government’s heritage body Historic England.
Historic Coventry Trust, which led the bid, will follow the blueprint for the celebrated transformation of Far Gosford Street.
The funding will allow the trust to start restoration work this year, boosting the street of independent retailers in time for Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture in 2021.
The trust will be working closely with local owners and businesses to improve their buildings.
Chairman of the trust Ian Harrabin said: “We have been working hard with Coventry City Council over many years to raise the funding to bring about the regeneration of this ancient street as a follow-on project to Far Gosford Street.
“We’re finally there and Coventry is leading a new government programme with the city in the national spotlight for heritage regeneration.
“This is great news and many people will join me in the excitement of opening up the city’s river, where the very origins of Coventry began.
“This is a part of the city centre that is sorely in need of regeneration and our plans will make it an area that will attract visitors and boost the economy.”
Coventry City Council cabinet member for jobs and regeneration, councillor Jim O’Boyle, said: “The regeneration of The Burges and Palmer Lane have been in our sights for a long time with huge support from the community and local businesses.
“It follows my goal of saving the best of the old while building the best of the new.
“This all fits with our plans to make Coventry a great visitor city, boosting retailers and turning the tide on national decline of the high street.”
