The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust has welcomed an independent report that urges a rethink of how historic assets are valued and used within local economies. The paper, produced by think tank Localis and titled What’s Past is Prologue, presents heritage as a form of civic infrastructure that can support long-term economic resilience.
Heritage framed as an economic asset
The report places a monetary lens on the sector, estimating England’s heritage industry at around £15 billion — a figure the authors say slightly exceeds the value of the domestic sports sector. It recommends that national and local policy should reflect heritage’s potential to contribute to growth, regeneration and community wellbeing.
Localis suggests that central government should recognise heritage explicitly in national place policy and factor it into planning for transport, regeneration and community ownership. Strategic authorities are urged to include heritage in local growth plans and investment frameworks, while local councils are asked to map where historic buildings could support a range of objectives including adaptive reuse, housing need, public realm improvements, biodiversity and town centre renewal.
Local context and contributors
The report was prepared with backing from Stratford District Council and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust — the charity responsible for caring for Shakespeare’s family homes. More than 20 senior figures from the heritage sector contributed to the work, which drew on in excess of 200 sources.
"This is a timely report from Localis just as the new prime minister Andy Burnham settles into Number 10... What’s Past is Prologue shows how heritage can be reimagined as civic infrastructure and, with appropriate alignment and investment, can be central to growth and wellbeing strategies."
The comment above came from Rachael North of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, reflecting the charity’s support for the report’s argument that heritage can be more than a cultural amenity and instead play an active role in economic and social planning.
Tony Perks of Stratford District Council added that the town’s status as Shakespeare’s birthplace gives it an international profile and visitor appeal. He said a coherent approach to presenting historic assets can contribute to health and wellbeing, create jobs and strengthen local pride.
Practical implications for councils
If taken forward, the report’s recommendations would require local authorities to audit and plan for the multiple functions of historic buildings. The Localis team highlights opportunities where heritage assets might be repurposed to meet contemporary needs while preserving their character.
- Inclusion of heritage in local growth and investment strategies
- Mapping historic assets for adaptive reuse and housing solutions
- Aligning heritage with public realm, biodiversity and community use
The paper argues for cross-departmental thinking so that heritage is considered alongside transport, housing and environmental policy rather than treated as an afterthought. For councils facing tight budgets, the emphasis is on using existing assets to deliver multiple public benefits rather than relying solely on new capital investment.
| Metric | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| Estimated value of England's heritage sector | £15 billion |
| Comparative sector | Domestic sports sector (slightly lower) |
For Solihull and neighbouring authorities, the report provides a framework for assessing how local historic buildings and landscapes might be integrated into wider economic and planning objectives. While the research draws heavily on Stratford’s heritage profile, its recommendations are intended to be applicable across different types of places and local economies.
Implementing the proposals would require political will at national and local levels, and cooperation between planning, regeneration and cultural teams. The report’s authors contend that such an approach could yield social as well as economic returns, enhancing wellbeing and civic pride while supporting sustainable growth.
