The Future High Streets Fund (FHSF) is a Government funding initiative to transform struggling high streets. Kidderminster has been awarded £20.5 million from this fund. The announcement was made on 26 December 2020.
All projects funded by the Future High Streets Fund are to be fully delivered by March 2024. The three approved FHSF projects are all part of the ReWyre visioning – reflecting the need to improve connectivity in the town and redevelop key sites. The three major regeneration projects being enabled by the Future High Streets Fund in Kidderminster are the redevelopment of the Former Magistrates Court, the Bullring area – including the former Crown House site and Worcester Street connectivity improvements.
The Bullring area will create a new gateway into Kidderminster town centre where Crown House once stood. This includes potentially reopening the culverted section (the underground tunnel where the river flows underneath) and combining the Bullring highway space which would create a new multifunctional area that might accommodate the market, and an attractive public area to provide an accessible route into the town centre. There would also be potential to incorporate some short stay parking.