
Meet your High Street Coordinator: The Vibrant and Sustainable High Street Fund
Applications for Phase Two of the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund are now open, and will close at 5pm on the 31st July.
The purpose of the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets fund is to rejuvenate and reanimate high streets across York and North Yorkshire. Key objectives include boosting the resilience of town centres and high streets, enabling them to expand their offer and increase the number of events and activities that can attract residents and visitors.
The fund is open to partnerships rather than individual businesses, or individual community groups. The Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets fund aims to champion collaborative working to create meaningful change which is representative of all voices on the High Street and supports long term sustainability.
If you’re unsure whether your project idea is a good fit for the programme, have any questions or simply need support, please get in touch with your local High Street Coordinator to discuss your proposal.
Meet your local High Street Coordinator
Name: Kasia Forbes
Contact: kasia.forbes@yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk
Areas Covered: Harrogate & Knaresborough, Richmond & Northallerton
Kasia is keen on data and ensuring funded programmes deliver the desired economic impact. Her strengths include stakeholder engagement and project management. Outside of work, Kasia enjoys running, strength training, cooking and entertaining as well as gardening (the latter with mixed results!).
Name: Wendy Sissons
Contact: wendy.sissons@yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk
Areas Covered: Selby, York Central, York Outer
Wendy has worked in education in the public sector for the past 18 years, largely in skills and employability roles, working directly with students and with businesses across York and North Yorkshire. Her areas of interest are operational management, business development and relationship building and outside of work enjoys reading, particularly crime, and theatre. Key objectives include boosting the resilience of town centres and high streets, enabling them to expand their offer and increase the number of events and activities that can attract residents and visitors.
Name: Sophie Eveleigh
Contact: sophie.eveleigh@yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk
Areas Covered: Skipton & Ripon, Wetherby & Easingwold
Sophie is focused on revitalising local centres to create thriving, inclusive spaces that meet the needs of communities and contribute to economic growth. Sophie has a passion for green spaces, ensuring opportunities for play and promoting mental and physical wellbeing in all aspects of the fund. She is also an experienced presenter and advocate for reducing inequalities. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her young family, travelling and doing her weekly park run.
Name: Sarah Barrowby
Contact: sarah.barrowby@yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk
Areas Covered: Thirsk & Malton, Scarborough & Whitby
Join our webinar series for practical guidance and in-depth support with your application:
High Streets Fund: Phase 2 Launch
Wednesday 25 June – 10am -11:30am
This grant funding programme is open to local partnerships with the aim of rejuvenating and reanimating high streets across York and North Yorkshire.
Mastering Grant Applications
Wednesday 2 July – 10am -11:30am
Enterprise Cube will share top tips for applying for funding and grants. We’ll then apply this to a real-life example, in the form of the High Street Fund.
Using Data to Support your Application
Thursday 3 July – 10am -11:30am
This session is designed to offer an oversight into the value of data and how it can be used to bring success to your project.


Meet your High Street Coordinator: Vibrant and Sustainable High Street Fund
If you’re unsure whether your project idea is a good fit for the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets fund, have any questions or simply need support, please get in touch with your local High Street Coordinator to discuss your proposal.