Liz Truss visits Swaffham town centre for update on High Street Heritage Action Zone
Liz Truss has paid a visit to Swaffham town centre to check up on how it is being revitalised to “renew local pride”.
The South West Norfolk MP joined figures from Historic England and Breckland Council for an update on the Swaffham High Street Heritage Action Zone’s plans to improve the area last Friday.
This scheme is being delivered with more than £380,000 of government funding, alongside £305,000 of additional council cash and local funding of £140,000 - bringing the total to £825,000.
Ms Truss was joined by Tony Calladine, the regional director for Historic England, and Cllr Paul Claussen, executive member for economic development at Breckland Council, for the tour.
The former Prime Minister said: “Swaffham residents are rightly proud of their historic town from the Pedlar of Swaffham to the Buttercross, and the Swaffham High Street Heritage Action Zone will make a real difference locally.
“Restoring the Assembly Rooms is a particularly important aspect of this project, which will only serve to renew local pride as the restoration work gets done.”
As part of the High Street Heritage Action Zone, the Grade II-listed Assembly Rooms, built in 1776, are undergoing repair and restoration work, with urgent roof repairs under way.
Ms Truss also met with volunteers from the local cultural consortium and heard about the events they have hosted as part of the scheme - including a programme celebrating the work of archaeologist Howard Carter and a record-breaking Coronation cream tea last month.
She was then shown work being carried out at areas around the historic Buttercross, with new trees, planters and benches being put in place.
Mr Calladine said: “It was a privilege to visit the Swaffham High Street Heritage Action Zone with Ms Truss and our colleagues at Breckland Council, and to see the fantastic work that is being done to encourage people to visit and spend time in the town centre.”
Cllr Claussen also praised the scheme, while Lewis Proudfoot - the managing director of Cliveden Conservation, which is leading the repair works - added: “Swaffham Assembly Rooms is an important building for the local community, and we’re pleased to be playing a part in its regeneration.”
Sue Gattuso, of the Swaffham Cultural Consortium, said: “I would like to thank Ms Truss for her interest in meeting with some of our volunteers who had taken part in our cultural programme for the High Street Heritage Action Zone.
“It was wonderful to show the dedication and collaborative hard work of the townspeople in organising and joining in these community events which have been so successful.”
