Tyldesley High Street Heritage Action Zone

Tyldesley is a town located in the borough of Wigan, 12 miles from Manchester. The area was mostly rural until the 19th century, and grew into a colliery town during the Industrial Revolution.

Tyldesley features a Conservation Area with seven listed buildings, with the centre of the town lying between the market square and Top Chapel.

The High Street Heritage Action Zone focuses on Elliott Street, the single main route running through Tyldesley, which is believed to follow the route of a previous Roman road.

How the Tyldesley High Street Heritage Action Zone will help

Tyldesley's scheme is the only community-led scheme in the North West. For Tyldesley CIC (Community Interest Company) is delivering a four-year programme of building repairs, community engagement and cultural programming. For Tyldesley CIC is proud to have the local community and young people at the heart of the scheme.

With £1.8 million government funding, delivered through Historic England, the High Street Heritage Action Zone will transform Tyldesley's Conservation Area. For Tyldesley CIC plan to refurbish and restore locally significant buildings such as Frank's café and will also produce a shop-front design guide to inspire the continued sensitive development of Elliott Street.

There is also a range of cultural events planned which will make strong connections with past traders and local legends from up and down Elliott Street, inspired both by the heritage crafts once found here but also by the more quirky memories that have passed into local lore. These community events will also support and illustrate the great independent traders that currently make up Tyldesley high street.

Stay up to date

Below you can find just some of the progress being made in the Tyldesley High Street Heritage Action Zone. For more, follow us on Twitter @HistoricEngland.

• Repair and restoration work is well underway at Frank’s Café and soon to start on site at the family-run Pen to Paper card shop, as well as the vacant Cellar 5 shop unit.
• New café – Redemption – opened its doors in January 2022 after the historic windows were reinstated and the shopfront restored to its former glory.
• Locals can get involved in heritage skills activities, building maintenance workshops and tours of the historic high street.
• Historic England’s Heritage Schools has teamed up with local primary schools on a time capsule project to capture local children’s vision for the future of their high street.

Working in partnership with

• For Tyldesley CIC is the Lead Partner and they will work alongside Historic England, Creative Heritage, Wigan Borough Council, Tyldesley Historical Society and Tyldesley and Astley Womblers.