Local businesses and residents will be invited to help shape plans to revitalise Grantham after the town became one of 69 across the country to win a share of the Government's £95m High Streets Heritage Action Zone fund.

South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) will add to the funds awarded by the Government which aim to encourage people to spend more time in the town through better public spaces, better traffic management and pedestrian routes and improvements to some of the town's historic buildings.

Historic England has awarded Grantham £991,900 over four years subject to approval of a detailed schedule of improvements. SKDC would contribute up to £425,000.

Councillor Kelham Cooke, Acting Leader of South Kesteven District Council and Director of InvestSK, said: "South Kesteven has an incredibly rich historical legacy across all its towns and villages and it is great that Grantham's heritage has been recognised in this way.

"This investment will help rejuvenate the town centre, protect its heritage and make it a place where people want to spend time.

"Residents of Grantham and the wider district will be invited to have their say in the development and delivery of the scheme. The council and InvestSK will ensure their views on the future of Grantham's town centre are incorporated into the scheme.

"Businesses based within the town centre will also be included as we move forward, and the regeneration plans will be informed by their ambitions for the future."

A bid to the Government's High Streets Heritage Action Zone programme, was submitted earlier this year by SKDC and its economic growth and regeneration company InvestSK.

Steve Bowyer, CEO at InvestSK, said: "This really is fantastic news for Grantham.

"Heritage can play a hugely important role in the regeneration of our towns and, as the district's economic growth and regeneration company, it has been a key priority for InvestSK's work from the outset across South Kesteven.

"We look forward to working with partners and stakeholders in Grantham to ensure this funding drives economically and culturally sustainable transformation."

SKDC will be working with InvestSK to develop its detailed programme design and to secure the maximum investment for Grantham.

Anyone interested in playing their part should email [email protected]