Published: Wednesday 14th October 2015 | 11.23am
Six historic town centre buildings in Rugeley have been improved to support ongoing regeneration and attract new investment as part of a joint programme.
High quality external repairs have been carried out as part of the Rugeley Town Centre Partnership Scheme, meaning they can be brought back into full commercial use. The three-year scheme has been jointly funded by Historic England, which led the project, Staffordshire County Council and Cannock Chase Council. Grants were made available to the owners of the buildings with a total allocation of around £320,000 to the project.
The heritage-led regeneration scheme saw buildings reroofed, repointed and have window repairs and replacements. Buildings in Anson Street, Market Street, Market Square, Brook Square and Lower Brook Street have all been repaired. The Lower Brook Street building underwent significant structural works and had a new shopfront fitted. In addition to the repair work, the project also funded feasibility studies into restoring two more local landmarks – Heron Court and the Canal Warehouse in Mill Lane. It is hoped private investors will carry out the revitalisation work to these buildings in the future.
The scheme forms part of the wider regeneration of Rugeley which has seen the county council’s improvements at Horsefair and town centre improvements which followed the Tesco development. Rugeley will also see a new flood defence barrier built along Western Springs Road, unlocking the potential for new investment and development in the town which is currently blighted by flood risk. This forms part of the Local Growth Fund programme through the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Enterprise Partnership. Other town centre transport improvements are also planned.
On Friday, members of the partnership group together with some of the grant recipients and their architects took a tour to view the completed refurbishments.
Councillor Gordon Alcott, Economic Development and Planning Portfolio Leader said “This project has enhanced Rugeley’s unique character and appearance by safeguarding the long-term future of these buildings. It has helped to improve the vitality of the town and encouraged new business opportunities in refurbished accommodation, as well as improving the attraction of the town centre for the wider community”.
Councillor Diane Todd, Portfolio Leader for Town Centre Regeneration, said “This scheme was funded by a partnership of Historic England, Cannock Chase Council and Staffordshire County Council. The improvements have helped put buildings back into profitable use and improve their viability. They look fantastic and make such a difference to the appearance of the town centre. This partnership scheme has helped retain these historic buildings for future generations”.
Staffordshire County Council’s Economy Leader Mark Winnington said: “The town centre conservation project forms part of the wider regeneration of Rugeley. Bringing some of the town centre’s historic landmarks back into commercial use is important as it helps to attract further investment and revitalise the main shopping and business areas. This is another example of the county and district councils working together to improve Rugeley and make it an even more attractive place to live, work and visit. The project forms part of our package of improvements which has included the Horsefair scheme and planned flood defence project, which will lead to more homes and business development in the town. It has been rewarding to see these buildings sympathetically restored, ready for business and improving the aesthetics of the town centre.”
Louisa Moore, Principal Local Engagement Adviser for Historic England in the West Midlands added: “Conservation areas like Rugeley are proof that heritage is all around us – they are the locally distinct, much loved, historic places where people live, work and shop. Historic England is proud to be supporting projects – like this one in Rugeley – that help to keep these places special.”
Historic England is the public body which looks after the country’s historic environment.