More improvements to the street scene of Kettering will soon start thanks to an additional £500,000 of Historic England funding, which has been awarded to North Northamptonshire Council (NNC).
It is hoped that works will extend from Dryland Street to Crispin Place, following earlier works being completed on High Street, Gold Street, West Street and Meadow Road.
Due to the high quality of the materials and workmanship on the previous phase of the project, alongside the improvements to accessibility for town centre users, Historic England has awarded NNC additional funds to allow larger areas of the High Street to be improved.
The works are part of the Kettering High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) project, a partnership between North Northamptonshire Council and Historic England. The additional phase will have the same materials and design principles already used along the High Street.
Cllr David Brackenbury, the Council’s executive member for growth and regeneration, said: “I am so pleased that Historic England have recognised the high quality of the scheme and that work can continue along the High Street. Once finished, this work will make a real difference to Kettering and breathe new life into the town centre.”
Cllr Jason Smithers, leader of the Council, said: “Throughout this project, the aim has always been to encourage people to visit and stay a while in Kettering, using the businesses and services across the town. By the end of this phase the work will really showcase Kettering’s heritage and help improve footfall in the town. I cannot wait to see the end result.”
Louise Brennan, Historic England’s regional director – Midlands, said: “The improvements to the public realm on Kettering’s High Street are really impressive – the quality of the design and materials perfectly compliment the many historic buildings that give the town centre its strong character. We are delighted there is more proposed work to come to continue this enhanced public realm as part of the High Street Heritage Action Zone.”
Street scene improvements began in January along the southern end of the High Street, Meadow Road and Gold Street, with all work now due to be completed by Autumn 2022.
