Leamington Old Town Bids to win slice of Portas cash

[dutchman]

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.

[dutchman]

Leamington doesn't need any cash! It already has a decent high street.

They still won it!

Old Town successful with Portas Pilots bid

BUSINESS owners and traders in Old Town have been successful in their bid to win £100,000 from the Government’s Portas Pilots project.

Local Government Minister Grant Shapps will name the area among the 15 winners for the second stage of the project this morning (Wednesday).

The money will be used to breath new life into the area and make it more attractive for shoppers and visitors.

The plans include creating a ‘cafe culture’ in the area and establishing it as a centre for arts, creativity and innovation, attracting more independent retailers and holding more community events such as the recent Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Clemens Street.

Other ideas include building on Old Town’s restaurant base and its diverse ethnic food outlets and having commissioned artwork for the area’s railway bridge.

Backed by the Old Town Business Association the area’s successful bid was among 400 applications for the second stage of the project, which is led by retail expert Mary Portas.

Cllr Alan Farnell, the leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: “It is great news to hear that Leamington has been successful in its bid to become a Portas Pilot town.

“This is a huge boost for one of Warwickshire’s main towns which will receive extra support from the government to revitalise the town centre and benefit commerce and tourism in the area.

“This will support our Going for Growth agenda which aims to improve the county’s economy through continued inward investment.”

For more see Friday’s Courier.