Reading is one of 68 areas of England to receive a share of a £95 million government fund having secured High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) status for three conservation areas in the centre of the town. As a result Reading has received £806,500 for the implementation of a four-year programme with Historic England, match funded by Reading Borough Council.

The programme combines three complementary strands; Physical interventions, Community engagement and a Cultural Programme of activities and events celebrating the history of the high street and its importance to local communities over the generations.

In advance of the wider Cultural Programme, Historic England offered several Pilot Grants to initiate and test projects to engage communities. Reading was successful in achieving a grant of £9,231 to run a pilot project for the HSHAZ. This pilot project titled ‘Re-imagining the high street through your stories’ focuses on the Oxford Road conservation area, specifically the East end of Oxford Road (from Howard Street to Russel Street).

Stay tuned for more details of the resulting art installations that will be coming to the Oxford Road this summer!