Image: The Grade II listed Buttermarket in Redruth, Cornwall (Architectural Heritage Fund)
Backed by the government and led by the Architectural Heritage Fund, the fund supports charities and social enterprises to restore local heritage
A £5m programme to help communities rescue and repurpose historic buildings has been announced by The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF).
The government-backed registered charity, which promotes the conservation and sustainable reuse of historic buildings is delivering the ‘Heritage Revival Fund’ in partnership with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Historic England.
The programme began this week, and will run until 31 March 2026. It will be open to charities and social enterprises in England seeking to take ownership of and/or adapt historic buildings for community uses.
The new fund is part of the government’s wider £270 million investment in arts and culture, and will also support new projects just getting started on work to take ownership of, adapt and reuse beloved local heritage, thanks to Historic England’s support.
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive at Historic England, said the funding will “help give communities the opportunity to save their local heritage; to restore and renew historic buildings for current and future generations.”
Ros Kerslake, chair of the Architectural Heritage Fund, said: “Historic buildings aren’t just landmarks—they’re symbols of pride, purpose, and local identity and this funding will unlock the potential of social enterprises and charities to transform neglected heritage into thriving community spaces.
Heritage Minister Sir Chris Bryant added: “I am delighted that we have been able to provide this support to save the historic buildings most at risk, whilst simultaneously empowering people all over the country to take over the heritage sites at the beating heart of their communities and bring them back into good use.”
The Heritage Revival Fund builds on the recent work of the AHF, which as in the last five years provided expert advice and grant funding to community-led projects. These include a historic building in Great Yarmouth which was repurposed by Out There Arts as a National Centre for Outdoor Arts and Circus, incorporating a training hub, performance space, and bar.
In Sunderland, Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust restored the former premises of Binns Department Store, which now operates as Pop Recs, a café, community hub, and arts venue.
Redruth’s Buttermarket was renovated by Redruth Revival CIC and now includes a food hall, retail units, co-working spaces, and an events programme.
AHF said the new Heritage Revival Fund will enable it to support more projects similar to these in places across England.
