‘Be not afraid of greatness’, urges Localis in landmark study on heritage and local growth
Heritage assets must be reclassified as essential civic and economic infrastructure if local communities are to unlock sustainable economic growth, a new report from the independent think-tank Localis has advised.
In a report published today entitled “What’s past is prologue – unlocking the value of heritage for local economies”, Localis calls for a major paradigm shift in how we treat historic environments as dynamic drivers of future local growth and regional wealth retention.
Using the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and Stratford-upon-Avon as a primary case study, the paper considers the national implications of heritage as a sector – whose annual £15.3bn GVA exceeds the domestic sports sector and boosts the wellbeing of residents by a staggering £29bn a year.
The report warns that despite the immense proven value of heritage, critical structural barriers, including the loss of specialist conservation officers in local government, a lack of traditional building and conservation skills, and a complex and fragmented funding landscape threaten to undermine the potential to create economic and social value.
To overcome these barriers and capitalise on heritage-driven growth, the ‘What’s past is prologue’ report outlines actionable policy recommendations, including:
- Additional Green Book guidance: the publication of heritage-specific HM Treasury Green Book guidance to properly value community culture and historical assets during procurement.
- Mandatory integration: embedding heritage strategies directly into regional and mayoral Local Growth Plans to ensure preservation and economic development run parallel.
- Local SME empowerment: reforming local procurement models to protect regional retrofit supply chains, prioritizing adaptive reuse of existing historic structures over carbon-heavy demolition where appropriate.
- Grassroots ownership: giving communities direct levers for genuine grassroots stewardship to restore local identity and civic pride.
Localis head of research, Callin McLinden, said: “This report is grounded in a broad research process, drawing on interviews, an excellent roundtable and extensive source material from across local government, heritage, culture, academia, funding and place-based practice. Heritage is a complex policy issue because it cuts across so many other areas – particularly when considered alongside matters of economic development.
“Our aim was to therefore respect this complexity while distilling it into practical recommendations for all tiers of governance towards holistic, heritage-led growth.”
Localis senior researcher, Sandy Forsyth, said: “’What’s Past is Prologue’ provides insight into the integral place that heritage inhabits within local places by not only exploring its significant quantifiable value, but also by acknowledging that its protean nature roots it within the growth of equally and intrinsically multifaceted local economies.
“With place-shaping policy currently enjoying its time in the limelight, this report comes at a crucial moment that, if its recommendations are heeded, will ensure that places across England are able to make use of every asset, tangible or intangible, at their disposal.”
Rachael North, chief executive of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, said: “‘What’s Past is Prologue’ invites us to imagine a future in which heritage is valued as more than the preservation of buildings and the curation of stories.
“This thoughtful exploration encourages us to see heritage as both a strategic asset and a form of enabling infrastructure: one that can drive economic growth while also strengthening wellbeing, social prosperity and a shared pride in place.
“This is heritage in action in its truest sense, weaving together past, present and future in ways which bring real opportunity for people and communities. The value of real, embedded community participation is something those of us working in heritage have known and felt for a long time, but it is important to see it set out as a necessary imperative, rather than a tokenistic nice-to-have.”
Tony Perks, deputy chief executive, Stratford on Avon District Council, said: “Stratford upon Avon is blessed with a rich heritage. As the birthplace of William Shakespeare, Stratford has an international reputation and attracts significant visitor numbers every year.
“A well-presented, coherent heritage offer has enormous potential to achieve good things; it can enhance health and wellbeing, provide fulfilment and employment, create a sense of ‘pride in place’.
“As Stratford embarks on the next stage of its heritage journey, this independent research provides a framework around which great ideas can be developed.”