10/04/2025
Written by Abigail Evason
Historic market towns have long served as important commercial and social hubs; they are key to stimulating local economies, attracting footfall to the high street as well as preserving cultural traditions and community spirit.
Market towns are operating in an increasingly challenging environment, dealing with the pressures of modern development, declining infrastructure and broader economic decline.
On 4 March 2025, UK MPs debated in Parliament about support available to historic market towns and what further steps can be taken to help them tackle the challenges faced.
The debate highlighted notable successes and lessons learned in the past five years.
Particularly lauded were Historic England’s Heritage Action Zones and High Street Heritage Action Zones. The Heritage Action Zone scheme has seen 20 historic places and market towns be revitalised and 157 historic buildings be brought back into use via restoration. Meanwhile the High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme has brought investment to 67 historic high streets in England, restoring more than 460 shopfronts and 224 historic homes whilst hosting numerous cultural events on historic high streets.
Both schemes have demonstrated the importance of investment, local partnerships and community engagement in order to create the conditions which allow market towns to thrive.
MPs were also complementary of the permitted development rights (PDRs) introduced by the previous Government. These new PDRs crucially made provision for the erection of movable structures (for example marquees) within boundaries of listed buildings and provision for holding markets without the need for planning permission. This has been a key step in removing barriers faced by historic market towns when hosting markets in their public spaces and listed buildings, allowing small businesses and the local community to make the most of local cultural heritage. The debate calls for the Government to make these PDRs permanent to secure the future of traditional markets.
The Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) has recently confirmed several areas of support and major investment for the heritage sector, including:
- £270 million for cultural venues from the Arts Everywhere fund with renewed focus on community-led organisations.
- £293 million to fund heritage projects from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
- £20 million from the heritage at risk capital fund and the heritage revival fund to repair at-risk heritage sites and support local groups looking to restore derelict buildings (including those in market towns).
Concerns have been raised about the impact of local government reorganisation on historic market towns. The planned abolition of two-tier authorities may lead to a shift of local decision-making powers away from effected communities. While the Government’s plans for new neighbourhood boards will go some way in restoring autonomy to local communities and keeping heritage projects on the agenda in the wake of reorganisation, it is yet to be seen whether the rate of annual funding will prove sufficient to help market towns through the challenges faced.
If you have any questions about what the issues raised in this article mean for you or your organisation, please do not hesitate to get in touch with David Hobbs and review our Culture & Heritage page for more information on our expertise.
