A move to grab a slice of cash from the Mary Portas project to help revitalise Old Town could see the steel railway bridge lit up with decorative lighting and become a home for works of art by sculptor Henry Moore.
Plans for the High Street bridge are part of moves to win £100,000 from the second stage of the Government’s Portas Pilot project which aims to breathe new life back into town centres.
Backed by the Old Town Business Association, one aim is to establish the area as a “centre for arts, creativity and innovation.”
It also aims to create a cafe culture, attract more independent retailers and more community events, such as the recent Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Clemens Street.
It is also hoped to build on Old Town’s restaurant base and its diverse ethnic food outlets – including French, Polish and Portuguese – to attract more visitors.
The aim is to spruce up the area and deal with problems such as peeling paint on properties, derelict buildings, empty shops and areas not maintained.
Jeremy Ireland, who lives in Court Street and is team leader for the bid, said there were around 500 businesses and organisations in the Old Town-South Town area who would be asked to pledge up to £50,000 in time, money and materials to progress the bid.
He said: “We need to show that there is support with time and money for this. We have to show a good proportion of the businesses in the area will support it. We’ve been around 60 per cent of the small shops so far and the reaction has been very positive.”
He said they had spoken to the Henry Moore foundation and Network Rail had agreed in principle to works of art on the bridge, adding: “I think the railway has 3,000 to 5,000 people on it a day and a good chunk will see the big artworks and could at another time decide get off at Leamington – it will be good for the town.”
Helen Wild, who owns the Grand Union restaurant in Clemens Street and Dockers, a 1950-style diner in Spencer Street, said there was a lot of support for the bid and moves to improve the look of the area.
She said: “A cafe culture is much needed in Old Town. We need to bring people down from over the river and it will be good to encourage independent retailers. It will be very different to the north of the town – we are looking at a more cultural and artistic base.”
The Old Town bid was discussed by Leamington Town Council last night.
A recent bid by Warwick to become a Portas Pilot Town was unsuccessful but those behind it are resubmitting their bid for the next round of cash from the project.
Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 6:51 pm