RESIDENTS and community
groups have been invited to help
pump life into a townâ EURO [TM]s Civic
Heart scheme.
Chester-le-Street District council
chiefs are urging young and
old alike to come forward with
suggestions of activities and
types of entertainment they
would like to see in the town centre.
The transformation of the
marketâ EURO [TM]s east end into a public
space will become a focal point in
the town centre, known as the
Civic Heart.
This includes the Arch, currently
under construction â EURO " incorporating
a time capsule â EURO " and
coal seam seats. It will be a focal
point for public events, festivities
and celebrations.
Initial ideas for the Civic
Heartâ EURO [TM]s public space include
street theatre, cultural events
and live music, but the council is
hoping to get more specific details
and suggestions from local
people.
In addition to an open invitation
to members of the public,
the council will be writing to
community-based organisations,
schools, market traders and businesses,
to get their ideas on the
activities they would like to see
in the town centre.
The Arch is part of the authorityâ EURO [TM]s
market and town centre
refurbishment, that links with a
regeneration effort across the
district.
The refurbishment includes reducing
the size of the current
space for stands and stalls in the
market area.
A council spokesman said:
â EURO oeThe Town Centre Association is
particularly keen to see a wider
range of events in the Civic
Heart, and welcomes the planned
refurbishment of the market, as
it will draw more people to the
town centre.
â EURO oeFollowing consultation with
traders, the layout has been altered
to enable traders to be nearer
to Front Street end of the site.
Toilets have been added to the
scheme, and the improvement of
disabled parking is also being
considered.
â EURO oeThe scheme will also allow
some traders to switch from fixed
market stalls to the use of more
flexible temporary stalls.
â EURO oeThe new market will be promoted
to encourage new traders,
including French markets and
farmers and organic markets.â EURO
The refurbishment of the market
area and Civic Heart is to be
completed next month.
Martin Walker, the councilâ EURO [TM]s
head of regeneration, said: â EURO oeI,
along with councillors, feel that
the only way to successfully regenerate
the town centre is by involving
those who have the
biggest stake in its attractiveness
â EURO " local people.
â EURO oeWe provide the outline drawing,
but leave it to local communities
to fill in the colours theyâ EURO [TM]d
like to see.
â EURO oeThis is a great opportunity to
improve the town centreâ EURO [TM]s vibrancy,
by celebrating the ideas
and achievements of local people.â EURO
Residents and organisations
wanting to make their views
known on the project can contact
Jan Lunn on 0191-387-2158, or
email janicelunn
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article