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