Heritage-Led Regeneration Series
Our Heritage-led Regeneration series is a collection of events, both online and in-person, designed to bring people together from across the UK who are shaping the futures of our towns, cities and high streets through heritage-led schemes.
High streets and town centres across the UK are suffering; shopfronts sit empty, social enterprises and charities struggle for funding, historic buildings fall into disrepair, and communities are left struggling to create positive change. This programme of events is here to showcase how effective and sustainable approaches to regeneration can help places thrive and build resilience for the future.
The programme is designed for anyone involved in shaping places. Whether you are developing a new project for your own town of building, or looking for new ideas and seeking partnerships, these events will provide you with the opportunities and learning you need to gain momentum, gather resources, and build your network.
What makes this programme special is its focus on peer-to-peer learning; attendees will learn about every aspect of heritage regeneration projects, not just the successes but also the challenges and failures along the way. Each event will deliver real case studies and practical learning, direct networking and conversations with local leaders in regeneration, and inspiration for your own towns and cities.
Key contact
Brigid Golden
Events and Partnerships Officer
Regeneration is...
creating lasting social, economic and environmental change by revitalising and repurposing historic buildings and places. It brings together heritage, communities, investment and partnerships to transform town centres and high streets into thriving, resilient places for people and businesses.
What will I gain / learn from attending?
It's intended that delegates will gain a number of skills such as:
- Building partnerships – Learning how to bring together local authorities, community groups, businesses, funders and heritage organisations to create change, and opportunities to connect with experts and peers delivering regeneration projects.
- Developing heritage-led projects – Understanding the opportunities in your own places to turn historic buildings into catalysts for regeneration.
- Securing funding and investment – Learning about funding opportunities and developing compelling business cases.
- Community engagement and placemaking – Learning techniques for involving local people in shaping projects and identifying the needs of your community.
Delegates will be given the opportunity to expand their networks in the heritage sector and develop valuable digital and interpersonal skills.
What can you expect at our in-person events?
In Person events
- Expert speakers from Local Authorities working in regeneration, architects involved in repurposing historic buildings, and social enterprises
- Panel sessions with Q&As, opportunities for peer learning and networking
- Tours of successful and ongoing regeneration projects
Example programme from our Summer 2026 event “Coastal Transformation in Action: Regenerating Colwyn Bay”
- Presentation: Our Place, Our Plan - From Plan to action! : Rachael Gill, Clerk and Place Plan Manager, Colwyn Bay Town Hall
- Presentation: Developing a Vision for Colwyn Bay: David Rudlin, Urban design specialist, author of' High Street: How our town centres can bounce back from the retail crisis'
- Question & Answer session
- Presentation: Destination for experiences - a community-centred approach to town centre regeneration: Liam McCormack, Môn Communities Forward
- Presentation: Beyond the Castle Walls: Heritage, Tourism and Regeneration in Caernarfon: Stephen Anderson, Director, Buttress Architects
- Guided Tour: Colwyn Bay Regeneration in Practice
What can you expect at our online events?
Online events
- Expert speaker sessions
- Q&A
- Access to exclusive resource packs made up of expert advice, key contacts, funding opportunities where relevant, and in-depth case studies
Example programme from our 2025 webinar “Placemaking, community consultation and participation"
This session explored how meaningful placemaking and community consultation can strengthen heritage-led regeneration and ensure that cultural and capital projects deliver long-term, inclusive benefits. As councils and community organisations work to revitalise historic places, engaging diverse communities and building local ownership is critical to long- term success.
Speakers on the day:
- Rebecca Madgin - Professor of Urban Studies Glasgow / AHRC
- Martin Downes - Cwmpas
- Elana Gibson - PHD Researcher Leeds
- Case studies demonstrated how councils and community organisations have successfully involved local voices in shaping projects, from early visioning through to delivery, leading to more resilient, relevant, and celebrated outcomes.
This session offered insight into how to build trust, reach underrepresented groups, and embed social value into place-based projects. It also considered how cultural activity can act as a gateway to participation, bringing communities into the heart of regeneration processes.
Heritage-led Regeneration Events
Join us at one of our upcoming events.
View our Heritage-led regeneration events (external link)
Be part of the Network preserving heritage and building communities
Share experiences, learn from the experts, feel supported, stay informed