The cultural heritage of market towns

There will be a Westminster Hall debate on the cultural heritage of market towns on 4 March 2025. The following background material may be relevant.

Historic England Action Zones

Historic England is the public body that "helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England's spectacular historic environment". It does this through:

• Championing historic places
• Identifying and protecting our heritage
• Supporting change
• Understanding historic places and
• Providing expertise at a local level.

Historic England’s Heritage Action Zones are "designed to unleash the power of the historic environment, creating conditions for economic growth and improving the quality of life in villages, towns and cities across England". Information on the heritage action zones completed between 2021 to 2024, Historic England's support, and the impact of the zones, can be found on the Historic England website.

A High Street Heritage Action Zone programme between 2020 and 2024 "unlocked the potential of 67 historic high streets across England". The programme combined investment in buildings and shop fronts with community engagement and cultural events. It was designed to "boost pride in place, connect communities and drive economic growth". Further detail is again available from Historic England website.

Permitted development of moveable structures and markets in historic towns

Permitted development rights (PDRs) allow individuals and developers to make certain changes to buildings or land without the need to apply for, and obtain, planning permission from the local planning authority (LPA). PDRs are granted by Parliament and set out in law (the General Permitted Development Order). The Library briefing on Planning in England: permitted development rights and change of use (March 2024) has further information.

Permitted development (Part 4, Class BB) allows the provision of a moveable structure (such as a marquee) within the boundary of a listed building which is used as a drinking establishment or for the sale of food and drink. Prior approval should be sought from the LPA and the moveable structure should meet specific parameters regarding its dimensions and the length of time it is in place for. Permitted development (Part 12, Class BA) allows for the use of land for the purposes of holding a market by, or on behalf of, a local authority including markets held in historic towns.

Historic England responded to the consultation when these PDRs were proposed by government. It states:

The proposals to make permanent the right to allow markets to be held by or on behalf of local authorities presents the following opportunities for historic high streets:

• Outdoor markets offer a cost-effective way for small businesses or businesses with limited indoor space to serve a wider audience. They offer a regular business outlet for artists, makers and other creatives.
• Allowing the operation of markets supports the cultural heritage offer and economic future for historic high streets.
• Markets can form the commercial heart of historic towns. Revitalising the use of historic market squares benefits those historic centres whose unique character is the product of a long market tradition.
• The principle of markets being allowed as a permanent right aligns with the objectives of Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zones programme to reinvigorate historic town centres and invest in cultural assets.

The consultation response also outlines potential negative impacts such as re-directing footfall and retail activity away from a historic high street, and the impact on the historic character and setting of the high street.

Tourism

Most international visits to the UK are made to major cities. Over 20 million overnight visits were made to London by overseas residents in 2023, accounting for over half (53%) of all visits to the UK from abroad. After London, the most popular areas for overnight stays were Edinburgh (2.3 million visits), Manchester (1.7 million), and Birmingham (900,000).

Compared to international tourism, domestic tourism is much more spread out throughout the country. According to data from the Great Britain Tourism Survey, 24% of domestic overnight trips in Great Britain in 2023 were made to a small town, compared to 44% to a city and 18% to the countryside.

A 2022 report by VisitBritain into the motivations of international tourists reported that 78% of 23,000 tourists or prospective tourists surveyed said that it is important that a potential destination is a “place where I can explore history and heritage”. 78% also said it was important that a destination has “vibrant towns and cities to explore”, and 63% that it “has a thriving arts and contemporary culture scene”.

Tourism Minister Chris Bryant, set out the government’s approach to tourism in a speech in November 2024, and emphasised the importance of growing tourism outside of London and the South East. He said the government would establish a new Visitor Economy Advisory Council to work with industry on tourism and design and deliver a new growth strategy. He highlighted government’s actions on tourism, including 40% business rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure properties in England, establishing a registration scheme for short term lets in England, and reform of the apprenticeship levy to support skills development in the tourism and hospitality industries.

Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEP) provide local leadership and governance on tourism and destination management across England, including working with local businesses. They are supported by VisitEngland, the national tourism body, and are part of an ongoing programme to transform local tourist boards.