About the project:

The Boston Townscape Heritage Initiative (2019-2024), a five-year National Heritage Lottery Fund project in partnership with Boston Borough Council, supported local businesses, people and communities in celebrating Boston’s wealth of heritage, through high street regeneration, community projects and public realm improvements.  

The initiative supported shop owners and local businesses by funding up to 90% of shopfront repair and reinstatement. Eight properties in Market Place, Pump Square and Dolphin Lane were restored and uplifted through repair and reinstatement works tailored to each shopfront’s needs. From window, door and roof repairs to facade renders and bold new signage that reflects historic Boston. 

The initiative led a series of accessible community heritage projects, getting more people excited about heritage in Boston. From the annual Boston Heritage Skills Festival to Boston Youth Ambassadors, Boston Hanse day and the launch of the Boston Trump cards.  

Perhaps the greatest legacy of the initiative was the annual Boston Skills Festival, a two-week celebration of traditional craft and skills through CPD and online talks, tours, and interactive workshops like earth building, stain glass making and tile making. With each year, the festival grew considerably, starting with 100 visitors in 2020 to over 1000 in 2023. 

Take a look through our highlights from the project below