Wisbech High Street could get a cash boost to give it a make over if a bid for lottery funds is successful.

The bid is centred on tidying up dilapidated buildings on the High Street.

Councillor David Oliver, Fenland District Council’s cabinet member responsible for dilapidated buildings, said: “The amount of funding we can apply for is limited and to increase our chances of success we need to focus our bid on a project that we can deliver rather than spread it too thinly.

“That’s why we are concentrating on the High Street. If we can restore that area, it will help to improve the look and feel of the town and have a knock-on effect on other areas.”

The council and other local organisations are working together on the Wisbech Dilapidated Buildings Project, which is preparing a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for cash to help with the restoration.

They are keen to involve local residents and businesses in the project.

A stall will be in the Market Place on Thursday June 12 from 8.30 to noon and on Saturday June 14 from 9 to 1pm).

The stall will give people a chance to discuss the buildings plans.

If successful the funding will be used to help repair buildings and bring vacant units back into use. It would also go towards engaging local people in a range of activities to promote a better understanding of the town’s heritage.

The project is being coordinated by Cambridge-based consultants Ingham Pinnock Associates. About 20 local groups are involved, including the Wisbech Society and the Octavia Hill Society, as well as Wisbech Town Council, the College of West Anglia and Thomas Clarkson Academy.

They are developing an activity plan that will form an important part of the bid and are looking for imaginative ideas that could be included.

Cllr Oliver said: “We are keen to get as many people as possible involved in this project. So please do call in at our stall in the Market Place and let us know what you think.”