Tewkesbury's High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) has issued its first four grant payment offers to local businesses.

This follows many months working with over 50 local businesses and property owners in Tewkesbury town centre.

The HSHAZ is a partnership between Tewkesbury Borough Council and Historic England to invest £1m in the regeneration of the historic town centre.

The grants mean that work can now begin at:

• Pretty Special womenswear boutique - this Grade II listed building has been awarded a grant to redecorate and carry out general repairs to its timber shopfront to protect it from weather damage.

• No. 3 Church Street - this building has received a grant to replace unsightly UPVC windows on the first, second and third floors with traditional wooden sash windows; to replace its current signs with traditional signage; and to redecorate its façade. The building is not listed, but still qualifies for funding as the changes will enhance the historic fabric at the centre the town.

• Tewkesbury Town Council - Tewkesbury Town Hall, a Grade II listed building, has been awarded a grant to make repairs to its stone façade. This will see the stonework cleaned and repairs made to the spalling, which has deteriorated due to accumulated dirt. These works will be carried out using traditional lime mortar.

• Abbey Tea Rooms - this Grade II listed premises has received a grant to replace modern felting with traditional lead over its main ground-floor window.

Ian and Pixie Brown, owners of Abbey Tea Rooms, said: "Times are still difficult for small businesses, so we were really pleased to be able to apply for this grant to protect our lovely building."

The HSHAZ grants' panel is expecting to approve a further four grants in the next few weeks. All of these grants will be funded at 75% of the total cost of the renovations. Grants are paid in arrears following the completion of the work.

Cllr Rob Bird, leader of Tewkesbury Borough Council, said: "We are absolutely delighted that we are now in a position to offer grants to care for local buildings. It takes time to assess the works needed, get quotes and get any permissions you may need, so don't delay - talk to us now if you think your building could benefit from improvement."

Rebecca Barrett, regional director at Historic England, said: "We are thrilled to see the grant funding being offered to such very different projects - all of them will have a positive impact on the town centre.

"This funding is there to support all types of historic building - it doesn't have to be large or listed. It's great to see many months of preparatory work coming to fruition."

Owners or tenants of buildings in Tewkesbury's traditional retail area who think they would benefit from a grant should contact Georgia Smith, the HSHAZ programme manager, at Tewkesbury Borough Council.

The HSHAZ team can help applicants through the process, assessing the work that needs to be done and guiding them through how to get listed building consent.

The HSHAZ grants scheme will end in spring 2024.