Pontefract Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI)
The Council's Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) programme is an excellent example of the type and quality of project the Council aims to deliver in Pontefract.
Ending in the autumn of 2018, the Council's Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) ran over 7 years. In this time, it offered grants to the owners of historic properties, bringing them back to their former glory.
In total, £2m was invested to restore 27 buildings. This was made up £0.5m of private sector and £1.5m in grants shared 50/50 from Wakefield Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
A wide variety of building were improved. These ranged from grand Georgian period Townhouses and the Robert Adams-designed Red Lion to Victorian terraces.
The grants provided varied from £15,000 to £290,000. The projects involved a wide range of repairs and restoration work, including:
- structural repairs
- roof repairs
- window repairs
- chimney repairs
- brickwork repairs
- the installation of heritage-style shop fronts and features
Buildings that benefited from the grant can be found on:
- Ropergate
- Cornmarket
- Beastfair
- Market Place
- Finkle Street
- Gillygate
These include:
- The Liquorice Bush
- The Red Lion
- Ropergate House
- 10 Market Place
- 1-4 Gillygate
- 1-7 Finkle Street
The improvement works have contributed towards the growth of Pontefract's economy, seeing private investment in buildings not attracting THI funding as well as new employment created in buildings that did. The latter include financial office based jobs, taxi drivers, estate agents, butchers, jewellers, nail studio workers, retail and catering workers.
Overall the uplifted appearance of Pontefract Town Centre has helped drive the continuing excellent occupation rate of retail premises with less than 10% recorded as vacant; a figure well below the national average.
The improvement works have boosted Pontefract's economy by attracting private investment in buildings that didn't receive THI funding. This has created new jobs in various sectors, including:
- finance
- transportation
- real estate
- food
- jewellery
- nail studios
- retail
The enhanced appearance of Pontefract Town Centre has also helped maintain a high occupancy rate for retail premises. With less than 10% remaining vacant, the area is well below the national average for empty shops.
The vibrant heritage colours used on Market Place have brought life to the street. They have created a lively and attractive appearance that appeals to shoppers and visitors. In total 7 properties were improved on Market Place.
Keep an eye out for the three interpretation panels located in the town centre. These celebrate the work of the THI and identify the buildings which received grants.
The scheme also commissioned a new family activity - the 'Pontefract Spotters Guide'.
The Guide is an architectural treasure hunt around Pontefract Town Centre for children and families. It includes an activity trail with buildings to spot, things to colour in and questions to answer. Copies of the guide are available from Pontefract Museum and Pontefract Castle.