High Street Sparks

What events could you plan to support the high street's future survival? What great ideas have you got for the outside spaces, empty shops or underused buildings?

'High Street Sparks' funding can provide small grants of up to £2,500 (and in exceptional cases £5,000) to community projects designed to breathe life back into our city centre. Applications are now open for projects that focus on, raise awareness of and celebrate the heritage of the conservation area that was adopted in Plymouth's city centre in July 2019.

Conservation Area

The conservation area is focused on Royal Parade and Civic Square and is bounded by: New George Street to the north; Raleigh Street, Derry’s Cross, Athenaeum Lane to the west; Notte Street to the South; and Old Town Street, St Andrews Cross and abutting the western boundary of the Barbican Conservation Area to the east.

Applications for the third and final round of ‘High Street Sparks’ funding are now open. The deadline for applications is 30 September 2023.
Find out more about the seven projects who were successful in round one.
Find out more about the four projects who were successful in round two.

Funders and Partners

The £95 million government-funded High Street Heritage Action Zone programme, delivered by Historic England, has been designed to unlock the potential of 60 high streets across England including the conservation area in Plymouth’s city centre which was adopted in July 2019.

High Street Sparks funding will be available once a year for the next three years and is part of a wider High Street Heritage Action Zone project managed by The Box, POP and Plymouth City Council.

Plymouth - City of the Future

Check out the new animated short film (running time 6 minutes) which offers a great insight into the heritage of Plymouth's city centre! 'Plymouth - City of the Future' has been created by Robin Holland at Saltash-based Carbon Pixel Limited for the High Street Heritage Action Zone Project.