Lottery cash boosts Black Country retail initiative

SHOPS in the Black Country are to be restored to their former glory following an injection of lottery cash.

The grants have been awarded to Walsall Council through the £1m Heritage Lottery Fund Townscape Heritage Initiative Scheme (THI) scheme.

The money will be used to reinstate historic features at JR Holyhead Holidays in Cross Street and Blunts Shoes in Market Place, both Willenhall.

The grants, worth £129,000, have been awarded under the Willenhall Townscape Heritage Initiative.
 
Cllr Adrian Andrew, Walsall Council deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We’re working with the Heritage Lottery Fund and VIEW (Visionary Investment Enhancing Walsall) to manage a very impressive £1m fund to help bring the town back to its former glories.
 
“What we are looking to do is to help improve the town centre as a place to shop by improving the look and feel of properties and this has to be welcomed.
 
“It’s a key aim of Walsall Council to help create and safeguard jobs across the borough and this is an example of us helping towards doing just that.”
 
The first two shops to be improved as part of the initiative are to have building repairs and historic detail restored.
 
The shop front at JR Holyhead is to be restored with historic roofing to be restored as part of the Blunts Shoes scheme.