In January 2023 Canterbury City Council were awarded £19.9 million for Levelling Up funding, Connected Canterbury: Unlocking the Tales of England.
Canterbury’s public spaces and heritage will be transformed to a standard that reflects its status as an international visitor destination and World Heritage Site. The bid had to support certain themes set out by the Government.
The themes
Regeneration and town centre investment
Canterbury has a historic city centre that is a major tourist attraction. However, like many city centres, it has faced challenges in recent years, including the impact of COVID-19 on businesses and the decline of the high street.
Some of the money will support regeneration projects that improve the city centre's attractiveness, welcome visitors, and boost its economy.
There are two project strands under this theme:
- Creating a green arrival experience - improve areas visitors see when they arrive in our city, as well as upgrading spaces like the bus station to include electric vehicle charging and cycle hire.
- Connecting our heritage - create 'story gardens' that use innovative technology to tell the story of Canterbury as part of England's history. New trails and cycling routes will be signposted to connect people to our heritage sites.
Cultural investment
Canterbury has a rich cultural and heritage offering, including the Norman Castle, city wall, and other historic sites. Some of the money to protect these sites, reveal their historical significance, and promote tourism. There is one project strand under this theme:
- Transforming heritage assets and spaces - we will protect and repair historic and underused sites in the city.
How much money will be spent
The total budget for the project work is £22,685,264.
This includes the £19,905,911 awarded to us from the UK Government and £2,779,353 that Canterbury City Council is match funding:
- Transforming heritage assets and spaces will cost £7,110,338.
- Creating a green arrival experience will cost £6,134,438.
- Connecting our heritage will cost £9,440,487.
Levelling Up project strands
Details of project work, timescales, and artists' impressions of what the city will look like.
The funding can only be used for the project work set out in the Levelling Up application. The work will be closely monitored to make sure that the money is spent on the things we said it would be.
The three Connected Canterbury: Unlocking the Tales of England project strands are:
- Transforming heritage assets and spaces - protect and repair historic and underused sites in the city.
- Creating a green arrival experience - improve areas visitors see when they arrive in our city, as well as upgrading spaces like the bus station to include electric vehicle charging and cycle hire.
- Connecting our heritage - create 'story gardens' that use innovative technology to tell the story of Canterbury as part of England's history. New trails and cycling routes will be signposted to connect people to our heritage sites.
All of the project work will take place over the next two years and should be finished by the summer of 2025.
