The National Lottery Heritage Fund is planning a 10-year project to improve towns and cities across the UK.
The newly launched Heritage Places initiative has identified nine locations to receive targeted support, with another 11 to be announced.
By 2033, this initiative aims to see £200m ($243m) dedicated to 20 long-term projects to undergo transformations of predominantly urban landscapes.
The first nine Heritage Places include Armagh City, Banbridge, Craigavon, County Durham, Glasgow, Leicester, Medway, Neath Port Talbot, North-East Lincolnshire, Stoke-on-Trent and Torbay.
The Heritage Places initiative aligns with the Heritage Fund's Heritage 2033 strategy, launched earlier this year.
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, noted that the Heritage Places were selected using an evidence-based approach, combining quantitative research with local insights to pinpoint areas with specific heritage needs and opportunities.
This initiative follows a string of projects and partnerships supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, including the Coastal Connections project by Morecambe Artist Colony and Time & Tide Bell, aiming to capture local mood and memories via audio experiences.
Additionally, the fund has granted over £200,000 to organisations in Newry, Mourne and Down in hopes of improving community connections, alleviating rising living costs and supporting mental health.
Martin Thomas, Executive Director of Torbay Culture, described its company's 10-year partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund as a significant shift in how they support local heritage.
