Architects appointed to Kirkham high street project

Three architectural practices from Lancashire have been appointed to help revive Kirkham's historic high street.

DC & MG Associates, North West Design Collective and Joseph Boniface Architects will deliver the work through Fylde Borough Council’s Shop Front Improvement Scheme.

More than 35 property owners have signed up to the programme, which was launched after Kirkham was designated a High Street Heritage Action Zone (HS HAZ) by Historic England.

Grants covering up to 90 per cent of the design and build costs of the specialist restoration work are available to businesses to help reinstate historic features – including timber sash windows, slate roofs, timber shop fronts, brickwork pointing and guttering.

The Shop Front Improvement Scheme is a key part of the £10m Kirkham Futures regeneration masterplan which aims to breathe new life into the historic town centre by restoring high street buildings and improving the public realm.

DC & MG Associates has previously worked on several conservation projects in its hometown of Preston including the restoration of the Pugin-designed Willows Church and the rebuilding of St Michael’s Church’s famous spire.

NWDC, a conservation accredited architectural practice based in Preston, specialises in working on listed buildings and historical properties, will work on the project alongside Joseph Boniface Architects of Blackpool.

The three are now working with shop owners and tenants whose buildings are situated within Kirkham’s central Conservation Area, which covers parts of Poulton Street, Church Street, Preston Street and Freckleton Street.

It is hoped the restoration work can begin as early as February 2022.

Counc Liz Oades, Fylde Council nominated representative for the project, said: "I am absolutely delighted to see so many businesses taking up the opportunity to restore shop fronts to their former glory. I look forward to seeing Kirkham's town centre flourish in the near future, when the public realm works, as well as the restoration scheme, is complete."

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