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Home , Birnbeck Pier, Broadoak Academy, Hans Price, Hans Price Academy, Nailsea, Somerset

Image by Paul Blakemore ON THE BEACH AT WESTON, WE SET OFF THROUGH WILD SWIMMERS WAIT IN LINE, THE OLD ESTATE, TO JOIN THE ROUGH BEYOND THE SCHOOL, AND TUMBLE TIDE TOWARDS THE GOLF COURSE, AND SURFACE FROM WHERE BEST MATES, THE RUSH OF LIFE. MIKE AND DAVE, ONCE PLAYED, HOW BRAVE THEY ARE — COLLECTING TRUANT FLY-AWAYS. ALL GOOSEBUMPS AND GRACE. WE REACH OUR BREATHLESS DESTINATION: , OUT ON THE EDGE, WHERE THE SKY IS AN ARROW THEY FEEL A SENSE OF PLACE. THROUGH OUR HEART LOOK UP AT THE SOFTENED AND A PROBLEM SHARED JAWLINE OF THIS TOWN. IS A PROBLEM HALVED. , , THERE IT IS — THE CLEARING, DOWN. WITH ITS LAUGHTERFUL HERE, WE ARE LOST OF BLUEBELLS, AND INSTANTLY FOUND. AND THEN THE CHURCH, THE SKY, THE BIRDS. Contents

Covid-19 This project had engaged with thousands of people about their town and their hopes for 02–03 the future by the time Covid-19 hit the UK. 1 Introduction People had expressed their ambitions for a more diversified town centre, with opportunities for leisure and play; space for business to start, invest and grow; and better homes with empty sites finally built out. 04–15 As in all parts of the country, the lockdown had 2 Weston-super-Mare a severe impact on the economy in the town centre and a visitor economy largely predicated on high volumes of day visitors. Prolonged and combined efforts and partnership between national, regional and local government, 16–27 employers, community networks and local 3 SuperWeston people will be needed to restore confidence and economic activity. The lockdown also stimulated unprecedented Placemaking Strategy community activity as people sought to support the most vulnerable in the town. There were countless examples of organised and spontaneous action to ensure people could eat, could get medicine and have somewhere to safe to stay. The energy and spirit developed 28–79 over those weeks and months will continue to 4 Programmes play a vital role to support people’s wellbeing, their local community and the town’s economy in the years to come. and Projects Weston is placed to capture the benefits of the accelerated behavioural changes to shopping, working, commuting and travel. It is a place that inherently supports physical health and mental wellbeing with plenty of space for 82–93 outdoor activity, access to natural landscapes, 5 Public Engagement and a walkable town with a rich urban heritage from which to locally work. 1.0 Introduction 02 1.0 Introduction 03

What if... Weston were re-imagined and repurposed, step by step, to become a thriving and vital place to live, work and visit?

A38 Welcome to Weston-super-Mare; a place This publication is the result of deep and wide of wonderful landscapes, a rich cultural and engagement with the local community, data architectural heritage and a wealth of amenities capture and analysis and developing project M49 for people living and working locally. Like proposals. This vision is ambitious and looks other towns and coastal places of its size, well into the future. It is not just about what Weston also faces challenges related to the Weston can become when grand plans have performance of its town centre, persistent been realised, but how Weston can change

Portishead M4 inequalities and attracting inward investment. along the way. This is a Placemaking Strategy for Weston- The document sets out an ambition for a super-Mare town centre that sets out a vision series of projects across the town centre and an ambition for a ten-year programme with approximate budgets and timeframes 15 min of project delivery to help Weston become a for delivery. Some are large and long term,

M5 healthier, greener and more prosperous place while others are lighter, quicker and cheaper. to live, work and enjoy. Critically, it is also an Not all of these are funded, and funding and exercise to use a new place-identity to better investment will be needed over time to realise 35 min Weston- broadcast Weston to existing and future the ambition. The delivery of these projects will super-Mare Bath residents, employers, investors and visitors. rely on partnerships between public and private sector, landowners, and the local community. A38 This exercise was initiated by North Council, but everyone is invited to play their Much of the initial work was undertaken leading part in delivering the ambition. Residents, up to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown of workers, business, institutions, community 2020 which had a very significant impact on groups, the voluntary sector, investors and the town centre and visitor economy. The set of government agencies are welcome to engage proposals recognise the profound longer-term with this brilliant place and capture the implications for the community, the economy opportunities it offers. and people’s daily lives. WESTON- SUPER- MARE 02 Image by Paul Blakemore for Megan Clark-Bagnall 2.0 Weston-super-Mare 08 2.0 Weston-super-Mare 09

Weston is a place to... home work travel library Live Work Connect Study Weston-super-Mare is a great place to live, Employers find that Weston is a productive From Weston Station, Bristol is 30 minutes Close to the amenities and connections of the combining a walkable town centre with the place, combining the High-Speed Broadband away, Bath 60 minutes and London and town centre and access to coastal and rural openness and fresh air of coastal views. (with plans for over 50,000 properties to Birmingham are within 2 hours. Regular landscapes, Weston is a popular and safe place Alongside the bay, residents enjoy access to be connected to Full Fibre) with access to bus services connect the town to Bristol for students to live, exercise, socialise alongside dramatic landscapes such as SSSI, heritage and natural landscapes to support International Airport. developing academic and professional skills. Uphill and the further afield. wellbeing. Weston is served by strategic connections is one of the outstanding Those looking for somewhere to live can find In the heart of the Grove Village, The Stable is to the national motorway network from the institutions in the county their dream home, from the Victorian villas an inspirational place to work for creative and local M5, providing convenient access to and its sustained growth is positive asset for with coastal views in the Hillside, dense urban digital business, collaborate and host events the , South , South West and the town and the opportunities it provides for streets such as Alfred Street and Alma Street or alongside fellow entrepreneurs in affordable London. local people. The growing student population the curved terraces of Ellenborough Crescent studios, co-working space and café space. at University Centre Weston are excelling in a and , all within walking distance Improving safe cycle path networks into and growing number of courses including digital of good schools. Businesses of all sizes can benefit from a around the town are connecting suburbs and and creative, legal and business and education breadth of skills in the local workforce across neighbouring villages to the town centre while and wellbeing. Being able to live close to the walkable town sectors. the coastal cycling and walking path connects centre provides amenities on your doorstep Weston to to the south and Purpose-built student accommodation and a richness of emerging arts and cultural Clevedon to the north. provides well managed and high-quality activity across the year and throughout the day. space for students to live and study and local workspace provides a place to start, test and grow enterprise once students have gained their qualifications. 2.0 Weston-super-Mare 10 2.0 Weston-super-Mare 11 play amusements outdoor Play Experience Go outdoors With play areas in parks across the town, family Weston is of course a well-known coastal Weston is a very popular place for summer friendly open spaces, indoor facilities and good resort and the expanse of the seafront attracts seaside day-trippers visiting the Victorian town. schools, Weston is becoming a more child millions of visitors a year, particularly in the It is also a year-round coastal town along the friendly place summer months. The promenade and the National Cycle Network and English Coastal beach itself provide summer attractions but is Path, providing plenty of opportunities to It is a place for sports and recreation (such as also a cleansing place for a brisk walk in the outdoor activities. kitesurfing) along stretches of the beach, in Autumn, and Spring. parks and indoor sports facilities. Walkers and It is connected to outstanding coastal and rural cyclists will find easy access to nearby rural In-land, the largely Victorian town centre landscapes by growing and accessible network landscapes while the town is a key place along provides shopping, services, food and drink of walking and cycling. the English Coastal Path. for visitors and local people, particularly independent restaurants with cuisine from The legacy of Banksy’s Dismaland reminded around the world and newly emerging craft people that Weston has a thriving grassroots breweries and micro pubs. and nationally significant cultural programme in and around the town centre with curated Established cultural assets including the events and music and theatre in public spaces, Blakehay and Playhouse Theatres, two cinemas, pubs and venues in the town. The Tropicana, The Weston Museum, Grove Park, The Winter Gardens, The Quarry and The Stable provide a more granular, local and sometimes quirky experience across the year and throughout the day. Image by Paul Blakemore 2.0 Weston-super-Mare 14 14 2.0 Weston-super-Mare 15

K

Weston A The Bay H Alexandra Parade Neighbourhoods B Hillside I Walliscote Place C Grove Village J Weston Station D The Boulevard K Worlebury E High Street L Bournville F Orchard Meadows M Uphill G Lower High Street N J21 Enterprise Area

B

A Portishead and C Clevedon

D

Milton K E F Bristol and Bath H G

J

I

Key N

Weston Town Centre Neighbourhoods L

Key Areas outside Town Centre

Enterprise Area M L Weston Station Clarence Park Train Route

Bridgwater Principle Roads and

0 m 500 m 1 km 0 m 500 m 500 m 1 km

0 m 500 m 500 m 1 km SUPERWESTON PLACEMAKING STRATEGY 03 Image by Paul Blakemore 3.0 Weston Placemaking Strategy 20 3.0 Weston Placemaking Strategy 21

The Vision Objectives

Cycle the kids to school, run along the beach Weston will become healthier and a more Weston Weston and in the woods. Work and study locally in a active place, with persistent inequalities being bustling Victorian town centre or on the coast addressed through inclusive economic growth Wellbeing Experience throughout the day. Back to your dream home to support local employment and homes within with views of the sea and the hills. Your work- a better private rented sector. It will be a green life balance is achievable here in Weston. and rewilded place that supports walking and cycling, the rapid adoption of Electric Vehicles wellness amusements Weston will have an experience-based for personal and business use and a circular economy comprising of more valuable economy with local supply . tourism, a vital and consolidated town centre and a thriving arts, culture and heritage Weston will become a better-connected Active Learning sector. More people will call Weston their and nourishing place where Full Fibre digital home and workplace as empty buildings are technology, transport and wellbeing provided Weston Weston repurposed for homes and business and vacant by the natural and historic urban environment development sites are built out with contextual supports productive distributed working. and contemporary architecture. With a growing university centre supported by a thriving college, it will develop talent active library from around the world and throughout the community for a rapidly changing economy. Green Work green Weston work Weston

Carbon Weston Neutral Living footprint Weston home 3.0 Weston Placemaking Strategy 22 3.0 Weston Placemaking Strategy 23

Weston — Supporting people’s Active — Walking and cycling into chances of leading a and around Weston as an Wellbeing healthy, fulfilling and active Weston alternative to the private car life in a rapidly changing economy through skills and — Using Weston as an open employability space for recreation, exercise and play — Accessible primary health and wellbeing services in — Enhancing the English Coastal the town centre supporting Path with opportunities for residents to lead healthier walking and cycling holidays wellness lifestyles active throughout the year — Better, healthier and — Activity and exercise on locally sourced food and the doorsteps of residents, drink available to visitors, employees and visitors employees and residents — A walkable town centre, access to coastal and rural landscapes for exercise, fresh air and mental wellbeing

Carbon — Providing more EV charging Green — Rewilding to increase facilities and improving the sequestration of carbon, Neutral connections between trains, Weston ecology buses and walking and Weston cycling — Support mental wellbeing using green spaces and — Business sourcing local planting produce to drive the regional circular economy — Encourage biodiversity — Repurposing redundant — Connect green spaces buildings and restoring through the town centre heritage assets as places green — Planting trees footprint to live, work and socialise 3.0 Weston Placemaking Strategy 24 3.0 Weston Placemaking Strategy 25

Weston — Artistic, educational and Learning — Promoting the high cultural activity in Weston’s performance of Weston’s Experience venues, institutions and public Weston schools to support positive spaces driving footfall across life chances for children and a renewed and consolidated young people historic town centre — Using the strength and — Independent business and growth of Weston College and collective trading providing a University Centre Weston to local experience and thriving attract talent and investment online and provide opportunities in a new economy for North amusements — A major stop along the library Somerset’s skilled labour English Coastal Path for market walking, cycling and active tourism throughout the year — Developing demand-led programmes around skills and — Year-round visitor destination employability for all ages and with quality overnight connecting learners to new accommodation meeting and growing employers demand for healthy and active tourism

Work — A healthy, affordable and Weston — A connected and healthy digitally connected place for place to live with clean Weston remote working with access Living air, walkable access to to landscapes and local social landscapes and local amenities amenities — Productive and collaborative — A child friendly place with workspaces to attract a range excellent schools and a of businesses in new and network of parks, spaces and growing sectors amenities for healthy and fulfilling activities — A cultural and hospitality work sector providing social home — Well-designed new homes for amenities experiences to rent and sale in repurposed employees and remote buildings and accelerated workers development sites — Investment in digital — Improving conditions within infrastructure to unleash the private rented sector productivity collaboration to improve people’s health, across sectors wellbeing and life chances

PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS 04 4.0 Programmes and Projects 30 4.0 Programmes and Projects 31 2 1 Projects B. 3 Kewstoke 1 Birnbeck Refurbishment A. 2 Worlebury 3 Old Town Quarry 4 Marine Lake Swimming 5 Grove Park Refurbishment 6 The Stable 7 High Street Refurbishment 8 Italian Gardens Market and Events 9 Banksy Pinwheel 10 Sovereign Centre

5 11 Weston General Stores 4 12 Meanwhile Workspace EV 13 Alexandra Parade Transport Interchange 14 Dolphin Square 15 Station Road Public Realm 16 Weston Station Wayfinding 6 17 New Primary School Key 18 Tropicana and Seaquarium iii. 9 7 Green Spaces and Trees 8

Projects EV J21 Public Realm Projects 10 11 Enterprise Area Key North-South Axes 12

A. ‘Constitutional’ ii. 13 B. ‘Peculiar’

Key West to East Moves

i. Station Road/Walliscote Road/ i. 14 Oxford Street 15 ii. Alexandra Parade-Meadow Street/ Regent Street/Grand Pier EV 16 iii. Spider Lane/South Parade/Waterloo Street/Boulevard

Core Shopping Area

Homes on Upper Floors

New Housing Development Sites

EV EV charging locations Bournville, 17 18 Uphill

0 m 500 m 1 km 4.0 Programmes and Projects 32 4.0 Programmes and Projects 33

Culture Weston Heritage Action Zone amusements wellnessworklibraryactive amusements wellnessworkhomefootprint

Culture Weston is a pioneering initiative that Historic and Council places outstanding cultural activity at the heart are working closely to create and deliver a of Weston’s daily life and future growth. series of projects through the Great Weston Heritage Action Zone and High Street Heritage It supports and illuminates all that makes Action Zone (HAZ). Funding has been directed Weston ‘Super’ through a partnership-led to community engagement, local capacity programme that dynamically develops people building, the Great Weston Conservation and places. Area and delivering physical improvements to buildings.

X 331730m Y 161400mX 331730m The initiative is a Cultural Development Y 161400m Company and provides the focus and capacity The Great Weston Conservation Area stretches to promote participation and quality, support from to Royal Sands and includes placemaking, help people improve their health the town centre of Weston. The HAZ will gain and wellbeing, foster and retain creative talent, access to the partnership grants scheme raise the regional, national and international from . The grants scheme will profile of Weston and North Somerset. There is generate at least £1.5m from Historic England a breadth of content and output in Weston from over the next four years to enhance shop contemporary performance to classical music. fronts. Heritage projects will continue to deliver Culture Weston is being led by North across a number of placemaking outcomes in Somerset arts organisation Theatre Orchard, in the town including improvements as a place to live, to work, to visit and as a means to collaboration with North Somerset Council, Arts 0 m 500 m Council England and the local community. participate in the process of change. Key

Heritage Action Zone

High Street Heritage Action Zone 4.0 Programmes and Projects 34 4.0 Programmes and Projects 35

Weston Place Agency Creating Inclusive library green homewellnessamusementsworkfootprint Opportunity library green homewellnessamusementsworkfootprint

There is a powerful abundance of passion, Critically, it will co-create a single place-based More and better homes The council will investigate the full range of assets, resources and content between online platform for Weston, bringing together powers available to it to improve the quality of Weston-based organisations. The Weston messages aimed at communities, business, People being able to access good quality homes in the town centre, including measures Place Agency is a commitment from cross visitors and investors. Working together with and affordable homes is critical to tackling to improve standards of existing homes, sector partners with a strategic, economic an overarching platform for content about inequalities and improving health outcomes. reviewing provision and quality of supported and cultural impact to harness this power and individual assets can better promote Weston as Having a safe, secure and stable home enables housing linked to drug/alcohol rehabilitation provide collaborative place leadership for the a place across audiences. people to access work, to study and to provide and use compulsory purchase to enable town. Participants of the Place Agency network for their families. More and better homes in the delivery of new homes. will use their resources and assets to better The Place Agency is a broad network open to town centre will help people who may otherwise broadcast Weston’s product and increase value business, institutions, community and voluntary be enduring poor-quality housing, particularly across the town. networks, local government, investors and in some parts of the private rented sector. Skills and employability funders. More people living in the town centre can also The network will drive the objectives of this support the economy with additional footfall Achieving inclusive economic growth in Weston placemaking strategy and pool resources to and expenditure, and with a supply of labour to will mean that residents and employers are curate activity, develop projects and generate fill local jobs. both able to capture the benefits of a skills content-rich promotional narratives. and employability landscape that works for North Somerset Council will continue to work them. Local and regional government will work proactively with Homes England to bring with schools, skills providers and business forward land for contextual and well-designed to empower young people to achieve their developments of new homes in the town potential, address under-employment and centre as quickly as possible. The council will low pay, and facilitate progression pathways, also work with skills providers and housing and provide into-work support for those with funding, delivery and management partners to barriers to employment BUSINESS CURATING ACTIVITY develop proposals for a New Homes Investment + + Programme to deliver more and better-quality In a rapidly changing economy, it is paramount CULTURE TRADING PLATFORMS homes in the town centre. Funding could that skills and employability programmes + + support the acquisition and redevelopment of develop the workforce skills that employers LOCAL GOVERNMENT WESTON PLACE AGENCY BRAND ARCHITECTURE existing properties in residential, commercial require, and to support the recruitment and + + and hospitality use and convert them into good retention of talent in Weston. FUNDERS LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS quality homes for rent and for sale, including COLLABORATION The Covid-19 lockdown has had a very + + genuinely affordable housing. significant impact on economic sectors INSTITUTIONS STRATEGY ONLINE PRESENCE prevalent in Weston town centre and local and PROJECTS As well as providing a much better private rented sector, this would provide an regional skills and employability programmes opportunity for local and skilled employment will be targeted to help people back into work through construction and refurbishment and to explore the kinds of skills that growing including through Modern Methods of sectors will require. Construction. New homes would be more energy efficient to help address the climate emergency and relieve people of fuel poverty. 4.0 Programmes and Projects 36 4.0 Programmes and Projects 37

Digital connectivity Weston General Stores The placemaking benefits could be substantial Weston’s experience economy and include: Much of the town centre has access to Weston General Stores will be a composite Major changes to shopping habits mean that high-speed broadband and North Somerset space in the heart of the town centre for — Supporting the consolidation of trading people no longer need to go into town to do Council will work with industry to further people to work, meet, create, collaborate, activity in the town centre their shopping — they can do much of this increase the number of connections. The study, learn, play and consume. The General online. The lockdown following the outbreak Stores will be key part of Weston’s diversifying — Greater levels of employment and investment of Covid-19 increased the share of online delivery of Full Fibre will enable a step change in Weston in digital business activity and accelerate town centre and emerging experience-based expenditure - not just for groceries from the introduction of 5G mobile technology in economy. Building on Weston’s inherent — Footfall across the day and throughout the supermarkets, but also from local independent the town which could transform consumer health and wellbeing assets for people to work week — estimated 400k additional visits per retailers and makers who rapidly adapted behaviours and create opportunities for productively, it will be a platform to support annum their trading models. Covid-19 has probably business in the experience-based economy. remote and distributed working models as accelerated a long-term trend for town centres, people will no longer need to commute to — Support for business through enterprise which is that they need to convince people that major employment centres every day. The partners they should want to visit them, even if they no space will consist of: longer need to visit them. Business support — A place for people to access skills and As town centres continue to diversify toward — Workspace for Weston-based employers and employability support Town centres then are changing to becoming remote or distributed workers visitor attractions of their own and are adjusting experiences and the UK economy adapts to North Somerset Council will work with partners structural changes as a result of Covid-19 to the experience economy. They are becoming — Meeting rooms and collaborative spaces for including Weston College, Culture Weston, places to relax, to eat, to drink, to socialise and lockdown, good quality and demand-led workshops North Somerset Enterprise Agency and the support will be needed for the inception, to play. While people spend time doing these Local Enterprise Partnership things, they will spend money. change and growth of business activity in — Events space for teaching, learning, rehearsal to develop a detailed business case for delivery the town. Weston College, North Somerset and performance and the LEP. Councils, traders, business networks and Enterprise Agency, The Stable and the West of — Trading space for collective retail models landlords in towns up and down the country England Growth Hub will be key providers of have long been working hard to understand support for entrepreneurs. including fulfilment or collection for online purchases Primary Health Care how they can convince people they want to go into town now that they no longer need to. Not — Space for good quality food and drink The Clinical Commissioning Group has an every town the size of Weston attracts large ambition to open a new doctors’ surgery in numbers of visitors every year, albeit seasonally. — Shared and open source back office Central Weston from 2022 as it plans for the By curating a programme of cultural activity functions including printing and reference long term provision of primary health care in and connecting and promoting the assets and library the town. The project will be purpose built more peculiar and interesting places in the — Bookable community space and provided in an accessible location for town centre, footfall, dwell time and expenditure approximately 12,000 people. can be encouraged into the town throughout — Space for makers and micro manufacturers the year and across the day. 4.0 Programmes and Projects 38 4.0 Programmes and Projects 39

Weston College and University Centre Weston library green home wellnessactiveamusementsworkfootprint

Town Centre Consolidation Sovereign Centre The growth of Weston College and the Purpose built student living is emerging as a emergence of University Centre Weston has viable asset class in the town centre. Additional Town Centres are dynamic places comprised North Somerset Council owns the headlease been a highly visible sign of success and developments of good quality and well of multiple uses, spaces and ownerships. They of the shopping centre and income collected progress for Weston, particularly in the town managed accommodation will play a key role in are inherently flexible and have always been contributes to the budget that provides core centre. The breadth of courses and quality of attracting more students and driving demand able to adjust to technological, demographic, public services such as adult social care, waste learning will continue to be a major ingredient for local cultural activity and the evening economic, environmental and behavioural collection and libraries. for Weston’s inclusive economic growth and economy. changes. COVID-19 and the lockdown increasing the town’s role within the West of dramatically accelerated changes to shopping, The Centre occupies a large portion of the England . The growth of Further and High Education in socialising, working and travelling. town centre and is a connecting building Weston will continue to play an important role between the seafront and the high street. The college will have a key role to play in the for investment and placemaking in Weston. Across the world, the structural changes to Architecturally it exhibits a strong post-modern economic renewal and resurgence of Weston shopping habits means that people spend theme which is at odds with the rich Victorian following the Covid-19 lockdown through the Collaboration through the Weston Place more money on food, drink and experiences fabric of most of the rest of the town. provision of skills that employers need for Agency can to explore opportunities for and less money on physical things they need young people to thrive and adult learning for students to participate in activities that support when they visit town centres. This means that As shopping habits continue to change the those people seeking alternative employment their learning through working with local town centres are having to convince people purpose of town centres for communities, the in a new economic context. business and employers. that they want to visit them, because they no future role of the Sovereign Centre to support longer need to. placemaking in Weston will be explored through Weston College has played a leading role in Weston College Group has University diversification and investment. the creation of a new Institute of Technology Centre Status and has major plans to expand While cultural programming and wayfinding can (IoT), bringing together major institutions and its provision to make Weston a university town, encourage footfall to Weston town centre, there Proposals to repurpose vacant space, advanced engineering and manufacturing working with its key partners UWE Bristol, Bath will also need to be a process of consolidation seasonally re-use parts of the car park, the businesses in the region. It will set learners on Spa University and Hartpury University. This and repurposing of buildings. North Somerset diversification of offer, drawing footfall into the a path to high-skilled, high-wage careers in combined with Weston leading the Institute of Council will prepare new planning policies high street, space for food and drink, learning health and social care; advanced engineering Technology for the West of England, alongside and guidance that consolidate commercial and cultural events will be developed alongside and high-value manufacturing, and the creative, piloting the new government T Levels, will bring activity into a smaller ‘core area’ and encourage physical investment in the building. The name digital and high-tech industry sectors. an enhanced focus to technical education with the thoughtful and contextual conversion and brand identity will be changed to reflect a philosophy of increasing the opportunity for of underused retail space to new homes, the changing nature of the town centre and to higher and university-level education in the workspace and community space. make use of the new WsM place identity. highly sought industry growth areas of engineering, health, cyber and computing. Weston General Stores will become a means to achieving this through the provision of good quality and productive workspace in the heart of the town centre, trading models for business that can’t afford their own unit and space for click and collect.

4.0 Programmes and Projects 40 4.0 Programmes and Projects 41

Carbon Neutral Rewilding library green homewellnessamusementsworkfootprint green wellness amusementsfootprintactive

Weston Town Council and North Somerset the infrastructure for safe cycling including Rewilding seeks to remove human intervention functioning ecosystems provide to people. Council have declared a climate emergency a new cycle hub, safe storage, hire and as the main drivers of ecological change. A strategy for increased planting through the and an intention to achieve carbon neutrality dedicated lanes to connect the town centre Restoring to a ‘wild’ state with relaxed town centre aims to improve provision for by 2030. Many Weston businesses have with the wider Weston area management interventions has measurable biodiversity, making corridors for wildlife to themselves already participate in local — Rolling out more charging points for Electric benefits for biodiversity in addition to a pass from Weston Woods to the dunes. initiatives such as ‘Plastic Free Weston’. Vehicles in public car parks breadth of ecosystem services – the benefits — Exploring the introduction of local As North Somerset’s largest town, policy renewable energy generation, including changes by the councils and behavioural photovoltaic panels on buildings and changes by Weston residents and businesses carparks can lead to a significant reduction in carbon — Pushing for the repurposing of existing emissions, including through: buildings to accommodate new homes and — Encouraging and supporting local working workspace so that people no longer need to commute — Encouraging mixed use development for the to Bristol and beyond every day of the week highest levels of energy efficiency that can — A more circular economy of business viably be delivered in new buildings activity with the use of local produce and — Storing more local carbon in rewilded areas services within the region and additional trees — Design and delivery of projects that make — Supporting a shift from private car use to Weston even more walkable and provide public transport including buses and trains.

North Somerset Target Climate Emergency

Become a net zero carbon council Net Zero Embodied Carbon. Demand target of <300-500 kgCO2/m2

An energy efficient built environment Net Zero Operational Energy. Demand target of 35-55 kWh/m2/year

Renewable energy generation On-site solar PV to provide 20% of energy demand

Major Development should incorporate battery storage

X 331730m Y 161400mX 331730m All new development should utilise heat pump technology Y 161400m

Repair, reuse, reduce and recycle Increase Recycling Rate to 75% Increase Recycled content within new developments to 40% Key Replenish our carbon stores Provide an area of rewilded land that is 20% of total area Rewilding planting routes Provide trees with canopies that cover by 15% of the total site area

Increased biodiversity zones Reduce emissions from transport Install EV charging points on 50% of all parking spaces

Encourage a 20% shift towards sustainable travel Existing trees and green spaces

Adapting to climate change Urban Greening Factor Target of 0.5 0 m 500 m

Buildings designed to meet CIBSE TM59 criteria under 2050 climate conditions 4.0 Programmes and Projects 42 4.0 Programmes and Projects 43

It can become a year-round route for cycling Landmarks M Sovereign Centre and walking (taking your constitutional!) A Birnbeck Pier and the council will review the concessions, N Grand Pier events and attractions to strengthen Weston’s B Worlebury Hillfort O Alexandra Parade experience-based economy. C Weston Woods Wayfinding Transport Interchange D Old Town Quarry A bold and creative approach to wayfinding, P Dolphin Square using street furniture, murals on buildings, E Marine Lake green wellness activeamusementsworkfootprint Q Town Hall graphics on the highway can support F Knightstone Island movement into and around the town by walking R Weston Beach G Grove Park and cycling. S Weston Train Station H Weston College Tactically located interventions can T Tropicana I Winter Gardens encourage people to explore more of the U Seaquarium During the summer months, Weston welcomes town, to experience the richness of the more J The Stable very large numbers of visitors who are mainly serendipitous and peculiar spaces and places K Italian Gardens drawn to the seafront. Despite physical found in the town centre. connections between the promenade and the L Weston Museum high street, relatively few visitors explore the wide variety of cultural places, public spaces and businesses available across the town centre, while overall visitor numbers fall away during the colder months. A C B By introducing the concept of the ‘Weston Lighting (Tandem Designs) Benches (WMB Studio) D Constitutional’ and the ‘Weston Peculiar’, more people can be encouraged to move in-land and explore, while the role the seafront performs in the regional visitor economy can be extended beyond high season. North Somerset Council owns much of the land along the promenade used for major events, PECULIAR outdoor trading and seasonal attractions. It is a G major piece of infrastructure, providing public E realm for high volumes of people and vital flood defences for the town. Art crossings (Camille Walala) Activating blank walls F H J Key I Wayfinding interventions K L F Landmarks M

Pedestrianised streets R N

X 331730m Y 161400mX 331730m Pedestrian routes Y 161400m O

Cycling routes

P Q Cycling & Pedestrian

Constitutional & Peculiar

Parking CONSTITUTIONAL S Train Station U

Illustration of an art crossing on the Highstreet Illustration of a public art on an empty flank wall 0 m 500 m T 4.0 Programmes and Projects 44 4.0 Programmes and Projects 45 Grove Park

Spider Lane — Art crossing

The Stable Microplan Promenade — Public realm interventions Royal Hotel Italian Gardens • Market • Events

Winter Gardens

Grand Pier Regent Street — Art crossing — Street furniture — Pedestrianisation Boulevard

Sovereign Centre High Street — Planting — Street furniture

Sovereign Centre Rooftop — Outdoor cinema — Allotments Princess Royal Big Lamp Corner — Events space Square — Silica cafe — Food trucks — Street furniture — Outdoor eating — Orchard Dolphin Square — Play area — Skatepark — Outdoor gym — Forest and planters — Trampolines — Food trucks — Outdoor eating — Play area Regent Street

As the use and inhabitation of spaces and units fluctuates, so does the potential activity within the town centre. This microplan aims to create agility in the town, activating under-used spaces in order to reinvigorate, be productive and attend to the needs of Weston’s inhabitants.

Alexandra Parade Here, a selection of meanwhile activities have Oxford Street • Transport been integrated into the town’s available interchange spaces. The activities respond to Weston’s • New square wishes, and can be relocated as necessary. 4.0 Programmes and Projects 46 4.0 Programmes and Projects 47

Menu of Agile Uses library green home wellnessactiveamusementsworkfootprint

The availability of vacant sites fluctuates. During the Weston Wishes activity (see p.93) the public made requests for many activities for vacant sites. Here is a menu of agile uses. These activities can fill gaps and activate underused spaces across the town and outskirts. The duration of agile uses can range from a season to ten years.

Key Outdoor eating Outdoor cinema Allotment planters Indoor market Co-working space Studio/performance space Construction cost ££ ££ £ ££ £££ ££ Year round Seasonal Year round Seasonal Year round Year round £ £1000’s

££ £50k-£100k

£££ £100k - £1m

Urban play Skatepark Events space Homes Makers space Play space ££ £ ££ £££ £££ ££ Year round Year round Seasonal Year round Year round Year round

Orchard Outdoor market Urban forest Mobile planters Trampolining Outdoor gym £ ££ £ £ ££ ££ Year round Year round Year round Year round Seasonal Year round 4.0 Programmes and Projects 48 Prince Consort Gardens The Bay Birnbeck Road Marine Lake Swimming Grove Park Constitutional

Knightstone Tropicana & Seaquarium Island Public Realm

Italian Wayfinding Gardens Rewilding Grand Pier

Key

Green Spaces and Trees

Projects

Dolphin Areas for Rewilding Square

Listed Buildings

Sites for New Homes

Public Realm Improvements Weston Beach Wayfinding

Ellenborough Delivery costs SeaQuarium Park

£ <£50k

££ £50k-£100k

Tropicana £££ £100k - £1m

0 m 100 m 500 m ££££ >£1m 4.0 Programmes and Projects 50 4.0 Programmes and Projects 51

The Bay

Marine Lake Swimming Constitutional wellness active greenfootprintamusements wellness active greenfootprintamusements Marine Lake can once again become a major The seafront will always attract millions of outdoor swimming amenity for local people people a year, particularly in the high season and visitors to the town. The council will seek summer months. It can become a year-round investment and work with the local community local and regional amenity along the English to agree a sustainable model for regularly Coastal Path and National Cycle Network — a reducing the levels of silt in the lake. calming place to walk and cycle in the colder seasons supporting both physical exercise and Trading opportunities along Marine Parade mental wellbeing. could help to generate revenue while there are also opportunities to further enhance North Somerset Council will review the biodiversity in the area. approach it takes to major events, outdoor trading and seasonal attractions to help Partners Cost enhance Weston’s experience-based economy. NSC £££ This may result in fewer but better concessions Programme and attractions on the seafront and greater use From 2022 of inland spaces and places (such as Dolphin Square, Sovereign Centre rooftop and Italian Gardens) to drive footfall to business, cultural venues and museums in the town centre. Pedestrian connections from the ‘constitutional’ route to the town centre will also be improved, including Spider Lane and Regent Street.

Partners Cost NSC, Place Agency, ££ private events operators Programme From 2023 4.0 Programmes and Projects 52 4.0 Programmes and Projects 53

The Bay

Tropicana Public Realm wellness activeamusementshome wellness active greenfootprintamusements The Tropicana is becoming a major regional Working with the , North venue and attracting attracting events from Somerset Council delivered a £30million pound across the country. North Somerset will seek engineering and public realm project along the capital investment to secure the future of the seafront to help protect the town from the risk building and develop a cultural programme that of flooding. contributes to an improved visitor experience. Engagement through the Weston Wishes exercise identified support for more civic facilities such as water fountains, distance markers for runners and more seating and planting. Partners Cost There are also opportunities to rennovate NSC ££££ historic shelters, repair railings and street Programme furniture. From 2021 The land train became unviable, but North Somerset Council will work with partners to explore its reintroduction or the potential for electric autonomous vehicles to support accessible movement along the seafront and SeaQuarium around the town. wellness activeamusementshome These items will be explored for deliverability and viability. The SeaQuarium building is privately owned but sits on North Somerset Council owned land. The council will work with investors to support the creative re-use of the building for cultural or business activities that meet Placemaking objectives and secure the future of the building.

Partners Cost Partners Cost NSC, investors ££££ NSC, investors £££ Programme Programme From 2021 From 2023 4.0 Programmes and Projects 54

Worlebury Hillfort

Birnbeck Weston Woods Hillside Pier Birnbeck Pier Prince South Road Consort Fort Gardens Old Town Quarry

More Homes Birnbeck Rewilding Road Marine Wayfinding Lake 0 m 100 m

Hillside Coast

Weston Woods

Old Town Quarry

South Road

Queens Road Queens St Joseph’s Road Delivery costs Key Grove £ <£50k Green Spaces and Trees Park

££ £50k-£100k Projects Landemann Circus £££ £100k - £1m Areas for Rewilding

0 m 100 m 500 m ££££ >£1m Sites for New Homes Hillside Inland 4.0 Programmes and Projects 56 4.0 Programmes and Projects 57

Hillside

Birnbeck Pier amusements wellnessfootprintwork Old Town Quarry wellness activeamusementswork

North Somerset Council and the Royal North Somerset Council will seek National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) are investment partners to relaunch the Quarry collaborating to restore the Grade II listed to become a year round cultural asset for Pier and deliver a permanent new Lifeboat the town and serve as a Visitor Centre for station for the town. the Worlebury Hill Fort

Partners Cost Partners Cost NSC, RNLI, Historic ££££ NSC, Weston Civic £££ England, Birnbeck Society, investors Regeneration Trust Programme Programme From 2024 From 2022

More Homes home wellness Worlebury Hill Fort wellness activeamusements

Privately owned derelict sites with coastal Some non-native and invasive species may views are available for development and be considered for clearing to support the North Somerset Council will work with conservation of the fort. This will support any credible development proposal to increased interpretation and access to facilitate good development through the the , allowing it planning process. to become a major visitor destination throughout the year.

Partners Cost Partners Cost NSC, development ££££ NSC, NLHF, Forestry £££ sector England, local Programme 0 m 100 m community Programme From 2023 From 2023 4.0 Programmes and Projects 58

Upper Church Road Grove VillagePark and and Thethe BoulevardBouvelard

Grove The Stable Park Historic Shopfronts

Knightstone Grove Park Road Public Realm Student Accommodation 0 m 100 m Italian Gardens More Homes Grove Village Grove Park Rewilding Landemann Circus Key

Wayfinding Green Spaces and Trees

Projects

Areas for Rewilding

Listed Buildings

Public Realm Improvements The Boulevard

Wayfinding

Italian Gardens

Delivery costs

£ <£50k Meadow Street

££ £50k-£100k

£££ £100k - £1m

0 m 100 m ££££ >£1m

The Boulevard 4.0 Programmes and Projects 60 4.0 Programmes and Projects 61

Grove Village and The Boulevard

The Stable amusements workwellnesslibrary Grove Park wellness active amusementsgreenwork

The Stable opened in 2017 as co-working Opened in 1861, the listed Grove Park was space for business in creative and digital Weston’s first public park. It is a significant sectors. It provides spaces for working amenity for people who live, work and and collaboration, events, hospitality and study in the town. The council will work with grassroot community activity. With reduced funders to renovate buildings, rookeries, levels of out-commuting and more local water features, boundaries and pathways. working throughout the week, demand for The project will support the existing The Stable is growing. Park Friends network and develop local commmunity heritage skills.

Partners Partners Cost The Stable, NSC, Local NSC, Friends of Grove ££££ Enterprise Partnership Park, NLHF Programme From 2024

Historic Shopfronts amusements workwellnessfootprint Public Realm wellness activeamusements

Heritage Action Zone grants will improve Increased visual connection with the High priority shopfronts, including buildings in the Street and improved street furniture will Grove Village neighbourhood. The project draw visitors and residents towards the will also support businesses to improve their Grove Village shops, bars, restaurants and engagement with local customers and visitors. cultural venues.

Partners Cost Partners Cost NSC, Historic England, £££ NSC ££ business Programme Programme From 2020 From 2021 4.0 Programmes and Projects 62

High Street &and Lower High Street

Sovereign Centre Boulevard Events & Market Space

Banksy Pinwheel High Street Spider Lane Wayfinding High Street Public Realm Grand Pier

Regent Street Bike Hub Alexandra More & Better Homes Parade Lower High Street Lower

Heritage Buildings Oxford Street Dolphin Square Meanwhile Station Road

Carlton Street Key

Green Spaces and Trees

Projects

Delivery costs Areas for Rewilding

£ <£50k Listed Buildings

££ £50k-£100k Sites for New Homes

£££ £100k - £1m Public Realm Improvements 0 m 100 m ££££ >£1m Wayfinding 4.0 Programmes and Projects 64 4.0 Programmes and Projects 65

High Street Sovereign Centre green wellness amusementsfootprintworklibrary

Events and Market Space amusements workfootprint The Italian Gardens can host a weekly market, a

Events space popular request from the public during project consultation phases. A market would support independent traders and has potential to Food & drink stalls diversify food offering, drawing visitors from

Shared gardens/ growing space out of town and activating the High Street and Town Centre on operation days.

Picnic tables

Outdoor cinema Partners Cost NSC, market operators ££ Programme From 2021 View looking south east towards Sovereign Centre & High Street View looking south east towards the Royal Hotel & Winter Gardens, from The Promenade

North Somerset Council owns the headlease Banksy Pinwheel of the Sovereign Centre. It will introduce a new plan for the centre including capital investment amusements to diversify activities away from a reliance on A place will be found for Banksy’s Pinwheel, retail inside and out. that was left for the town following the Pinwheel Location & Scale The rooftop car park is not always used and Dismaland exhibition at the Tropicana in provides an excellent viewpoint across the town 2015. There are a number of locations The proposed location of the Pinwheel and out to the . The roof could where the Pinwheel could be sited, so it is on east to west axis, centrally aligned can become a major regional installation of be seasonally repurposed as a public space with Spider Lane and in close proximity for events, a garden, cultural programming and Pop Brixton (Turner.Works) Netil Market, Hackney public art and a wayfinding device. family friendly food and drink. A polytunnel to the originally proposed location for the roof could house covered facilities and provide Pavilion. The most prominent views will shelter from the rain. be the approach from the High Street, via the Italian Gardens, where the Pinwheel Partners Cost Partners Cost will present a dominant feature on the NSC ££££ NSC, MHCLG ££ horizon and the west to east approach Programme Programme along Spider Lane, where it acts as a focal From 2021 From 2021 point and key destination. Visualisation by Portus and Whitton Papomo (Collectif Populaire Skip Garden, Kings Cross Due to its scale amidst the backdrop Mobile) of properties along the High Street, the Pinwheel will be less noticeable when approaching from the north west, along the Promenade. View looking west towards the Royal Hotel & Winter Gardens, from The Italian Gardens View looking east towards the Royal Hotel & Winter Gardens, from Spider Lane Pinwheel, Italian Gardens Proposed Location & Scale

2 4.0 Programmes and Projects 66 4.0 Programmes and Projects 67

High Street Lower High Street Dolphin Square Meanwhile green active amusementsfootprintwellness

High Street Public Realm green wellnessamusements The High Street forms the ‘peculiar’ north- south axis of Weston, a pedestrianised main shopping street. Refurbishment of Food trucks and outdoor eating in a the public realm includes rationalisation public square of street furniture (seating, waste bins, Children’s play area lighting, cycle parking), and increased Urban forest planting to create a biodiversity corridor and new wayfinding. Temporary/movable vegetable planters

Trampoline park

X 331730m Y 161400mX 331730m Skatepark Y 161400m

Partners Cost Outdoor gym NSC £££ Programme From 2023

Bike Hub wellness activefootprintamusements If redevelopment plans continue to be delayed then Dolphin Square can provide outdoor spaces for wellbeing and activities The Bike Hub is a place for hire and repair of for families and young people on a meanwhile bikes and place for cyclists to rest and refresh basis. Weston Wishes showed that there along the National Cycle Network. The Bike Hub was significant demand for a skatepark, an will help divert footfall from the seafront into outdoor gym, trampolining, green space to the town centre, diversify the experience-based enjoy and grow food, and children’s play areas. economy around the year and support more Located at the end of the High Street, the people cycle locally. Various locations are being square provides public space to round off explored including combining the hub with the ‘peculiar’ axis, and much-needed, central Weston General Stores. wellbeing activities as meanwhile uses. In the long term, the site will be developed for housing by Homes England.

Partners Cost NSC, DfT ££ 0 m 100 m Programme Partners Cost From 2021 NSC, Homes England £££ 2.04.0 Weston-super-MareProgrammes and Projects 68

Grove Park Orchard Meadowsower Public Realm Meanwhile Workspace

Weston Museum Wayfinding Boulevard

Italian Historic Shopfronts Gardens More & Better Homes Meadow Street Events Programme &

Street Trading High Street Regent Street Big Lamp Corner Overall aim for Orchard Meadows area... Oxford Street

Station Road

Key Carlton Street

Green Spaces and Trees

Projects

Delivery costs Areas for Rewilding

£ <£50k Listed Buildings

££ £50k-£100k Train Station

£££ £100k - £1m Public Realm Improvements

0 m 100 m ££££ >£1m Wayfinding Road Walliscote 4.0 Programmes and Projects 70 4.0 Programmes and Projects 71

Orchard Meadows

Public Realm to Meadow and Meanwhile Workspace Orchard Street active amusementsfootprint wellness libraryworkamusements Public realm improvements to Meadow Vacant units along Meadow Street can Street and Orchard Street could make the be temporarily repurposed to provide streets access only, widening walking space workspace in the area. For example, Weston for pedestrians and increasing usable Discounts is a large unit that spans an area public space. between Meadow Street and Alexandra Parade, providing a large space for temporary alternative use.

Partners Cost Partners Cost NSC £££ NSC, building owners, ££ workspace operators Programme 0 m 100 m From 2023

More and Better Homes wellness home Weston Museum Wayfinding active amusementswellness Repurposing vacant buildings and capacity As part of the ‘peculiar’ north-south axis, over shops along Orchard Meadows will wayfinding towards Weston Museum will be create opportunities for more and better improved from Meadow Street and Orchard homes and student accommodation in the Street. centre of town.

Partners Cost Partners Cost Property owners, £££ NSC, Weston Museum ££ development sector Programme Programme 0 m 50 m From 2024 From 2022 4.0 Programmes and Projects 72 High Street

Alexandra Parade & Orchard Street Walliscote Place Public Transport Interchange Regent Street Station Road Public Realm

Heritage Action Zone High Street Lower Locking Road More & Better Homes Oxford Street Wayfinding Station Road 0 m 100 m

Rewilding Alexandra Parade

Locking Road

Oxford Street

Station Road Carlton Street

Key

Green Spaces and Trees

Projects

Areas for Rewilding

Delivery costs Listed Buildings

£ <£50k Sites for New Homes

££ £50k-£100k Public Realm Improvements

£££ £100k - £1m Train Station Ellenborough 0 m 100 m Park ££££ >£1m Wayfinding

Walliscote Place 4.0 Programmes and Projects 74 4.0 Programmes and Projects 75

Alexandra Parade Walliscote Place

Public Transport Interchange More Homes wellness home footprint greenactiveamusements A new bus interchange is proposed on North Somerset Council will seek Alexandra Parade. The proximity of bus investment to bring forward the stops to the Town Centre aims to increase development of the former police station use of public transport and walkability to for good quality new homes in the town the High Street. As part of this project, centre. An exemplary design will be sought pedestrianisation of Regent Street will help to provide a contextual setting for the listed increase usability of the adjoining public former Magistrates Court space.

Partners Cost Partners Cost NSC, DfT, Local ££££ NSC, Homes England, ££££ Enterprise Partnership development sector Programme Programme 0 m 100 m From 2021 From 2023

Station Road Public Realm Heritage Investment footprint greenactiveamusements footprint wellnessworkhomeamusements Public realm improvements to Station road The High Street Heritage Action Zone will include widening of footpaths, dedicated contribute funding toward the sensitive cycle lanes, new planting, wayfinding redevelopment and re-use of heritage and improved crossings, creating a more Station Road assets, including the former Magistrate’s welcoming and comfortable experience on Court. arrival into the Town Centre.

Partners Cost Partners Cost NSC, DfT, Local ££££ NSC, Historic England, £££ Enterprise Partnership property owners Programme 0 m 100 m Programme From 2021 From 2021 4.0 Programmes and Projects 76

Weston Stationower More & Better Homes Arrival Wayfinding New Primary School Station Public Realm

Oxford Street Locking Road Development Site Station Road

Carlton Street

Weston Station

Sunnyside Road Development Site

Key Rugby Ellenborough Club Park Green spaces and trees

Projects New Primary School Areas for Rewilding

Delivery costs Listed Buildings

£ <£50k Sites for New Homes

££ £50k-£100k Public Realm Improvements

£££ £100k - £1m Train Station

££££ >£1m Wayfinding 0 m 100 m 500 m 4.0 Programmes and Projects 78 4.0 Programmes and Projects 79

Weston Station

More and Better Homes Weston Station Public Realm wellness home wellness activeamusementsgreen There are development sites with the On arrival into Weston by rail, a welcoming capacity for around 500 new homes in square integrating public art, public realm close proximity to the station and bus and wayfinding is needed to guide visitors services. The council will continue to to varying destinations. The proposed accelerate the delivery of good quality square includes seating, a drop-off and homes and improve the impression of this pick-up point, planting and trees, signage gateway location for the town. and arrival/departure information. This will integrate with plans for step-free access both sides of the tracks.

Partners Cost Partners Cost NSC, Homes England, ££££ NSC, GWR, Network ££££ development sector Rail Programme 0 m 100 m Programme From 2023 From 2021

Arrival Wayfinding footprint greenactiveamusements New Primary School library home

Arrival into Weston by train, road and by Land and access has been identified for bus can be marked by wayfinding public art a new primary school to help meet the interventions, drawing visitors towards the needs for the Town Centre as development Town Centre. sites come forward and buildings are repurposed.

Partners Cost Partners Cost NSC ££ NSC, DfE ££££

Programme Programme 0 m 100 m From 2021 From 2025 A TOWN WITH ART IN EVERY SEAM, WHERE SINGERS HARMONISE ALONG THE STREETS; WHERE MUSIC PUSHES THROUGH THE CRACKS AND DRAMA DANCES ON THE SAND. A COUPLE, BAGS IN HANDS, COME SHOPPING EVERY WEEK. THEIR STORY STARTED IN THE BALLROOM OF THEIR PAST — THAT MOMENT WHEN HE OFFERED HER HIS ARM. NOW THEY ARE WAITING DOWN TO THE OPEN CAFES FOR THEIR BUS TOGETHER. AND THE CALM MUSEUM, THIS IS THE REAL MEANING GIVING EGG-SHELL STORIES OF FOREVER. SOMEWHERE SAFE TO NEST. PAST THE SUPERMARKET WHERE THE COAL DUST USED TO FLY. THE CLOCK WHERE TRAINS ONCE WORKED THROUGH TOWN, LIKE TIME. THIS PLACE WAS QUITE ‘THE THING’. NOSTALGIA’S CINEMATIC FLING. BEFORE THE DISCOS, THERE WERE DANCES — LOVERS COURTED IN THE WINTER GARDENS. NOW OUR KISSES WALTZ BESIDE THE TIDES AND FRIENDSHIPS FLICKER IN THE WOODS AT NIGHT. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT 05

5.0 Public Engagement 86 5.0 Public Engagement 87

Weston Wishes What do you wish for Weston?

This placemaking methodology is founded in Key Social media played a part in the development public engagement: the first of three activities, of an initial campaign, Superweston, opening a Weston Wishes invited inhabitants to make Retail/food & drink conversation about a new graphic identity for Children’s Activities wishes for Weston, writing or drawing on 5% Weston and building a community around the Public Realm 5% postcards. 8% 24% engagement events with partners. Green & Environment Sports & Swimming Partners included Weston College, 9% The Weston Wishes responses demonstrate Walliscote Primary School, Culture the community spirit and activism of Weston , , Love’s, The Young People people and organisations: many identified 10% 17% Stable, Artspace, Replenish, Theatre Orchard Leisure the need for resources to support mental Weston Town Council, Civic Society, BID and Social Support 11% health and homelessness; increased green 11% the wider public. The postcards were exhibited spaces and opportunities to grow food; in the Sovereign Centre Food Court, an ‘urban spaces and activities for young people and room’ for the project. families; encouragement of arts practices; more 5000 cards completed byRetail and food & drink Children’s activities independent retailers and support for the High multiple groups and ages.Public realm Green & environment Street. Sports & swimming Culture Young people Leisure Social support 5.0 Public Engagement 88 5.0 Public Engagement 89

Weston Wanders Work Weston

Weston Wanders was a community A large community map of Weston, usable in This event focused on developing ideas about mapping activity, consisting of Walkabouts the future by designers/creatives, interprets the future economic development of Weston retail around Weston to document thoughts and town. and workspace. Business leaders and key observations about the town. The aim was to stakeholders from North Somerset took part in collect current intangible feelings and histories — 51 people took part in making the map a Placemaking Roundtable to discuss: of place in Weston today. — 14 people co-wrote poems. — Business and investment: What factors would Poems were co-made by Beth Calverley, the Partners included: Weston College, Weston encourage businesses to set up in Weston Poetry Machine with the community about their Heritage Health Walks and Weston Museum. town centre? feelings and memories of Weston, infused into a Poem for Weston (overleaf). A current sense of how people feel along — Identity: What narratives could encourage specific routes and particular locations in people to make investment decisions in Mike Jones (Centre for All Healthy Living) led a Weston as a place were defined. Weston? walk around Weston, and Chris Fisher (Weston Museum) recorded oral histories. — Branding: What do you think about the new Burgess and Beech identity options? A Workplace and Retail Afternoon was held with the wider business community: Presentations were held by Turner.Works, Retail Revival and the Placemaking and Growth, Development and Environment, from North Somerset Council. Two workshops followed: — Workshop 1, led by Sally Williams, focused on reimagining retail and the high street in Weston — Workshop 2, led by Carl Turner, focused on exploring the future of workspace in Weston. WE’VE STOPPED AT THE QUARRY, WHERE THE TWILIT SLEEPS. THIS IS THE COMPANY THAT NATURE KEEPS; A LEAFY HERITAGE OF QUIET DREAMS. THE SCOUTS ARE CAMPED TOGETHER, STARTING FIRES. THEY GATHER CLOSER AS THE SHADOWS IT’S GOOD TO FIND A SPACE FLICKER HIGHER. TO SIT AND THINK. PRINCE CONSORT GARDENS OVERLOOK THE LAKE AND YOU CAN WAVE TO WALES ON A LUCKY DAY. FREEDOM FEATHERS AT OUR FINGERTIPS LIKE CLOUDS AND HERE, AND WE CAN CLEAR OUR HEADS BETWEEN THE TREES, AWAY FROM TOWN. WE’RE SWIMMING — BUSES ARE IMPORTANT. LOST AND FOUND AT SEA. SO ARE TREES. THE LEAVES ARE A LIVELY GREEN IS THE ANTIDOTE HIVE OF WAVES, TO FEELING BLEAK. AN ESTUARY OF BEELINES, BRING BACK THE HEALING MAKING STEADY CHANGE. PROPERTY OF NATURE — ALL IT TAKES IS THE NERVE BRING BACK THE SPACES TO JUMP IN. THAT WE’VE ALMOST LOST. BRING BACK THE WILDNESS IF ONLY EVERYONE WHERE HOPE BELONGS. COULD FEEL LIKE THIS. 5.0 Public Engagement 92 5.0 Public Engagement 93

Design Lab Making a brand

Following the initial research and design After completing the Design Lab workshop, Key development, Burgess and Beech invited booklets were left out for the next week Weston’s students, entrepreneurs and locals to collect further results from those unable Route 1 to the Sovereign Centre for an exhibition and to attend. Beside the physical campaign, Route 2 design workshop. online votes were cast out over social media Route 3 25% to allow the public to have their final say. Through the exhibition, visitors were given the opportunity to see behind the scenes in Overall, Route 3 was a clear winner—with 58% the branding process, from visual research, over 70% of voters responding positively. 17% design development, to offcuts and finally Some voter comments include: the proposed three routes. “Shows we are moving forward” As part of the workshop, each visitor was given a booklet to voice their opinions about each “All types of visitors are welcome” route and a vote on which they preferred. “Showing off what WSM has to offer in terms of nature & the outdoors” Alongside this, a large display wall opened What is your preferred route? discussion over WsM’s naming, values, tone “Child friendly, healthy living” of voice, colour mood, rating and typeface. Approximately 100 votes completed “A statement to make” by multiple groups and ages.

Social media polls

Route 1 What do you like about Route 1? What dont you like?

How does it represent Weston (Place, People, Business, Nature, Offer)? How does it welcome new visitors? What does it say about Weston?

Describe Route 1 in 5 words 1 2 3 4 5 Image by Paul Blakemore 6.0 Resources 96 6.0 Resources 97

Index of Project Partners

Alliance Homes JJP Holdings The Stable Weston Museum AGE UK Know Your Place Theatre Orchard Weston Hospice Care Alder King Lloyds Bank University of the 3rd Age Weston Town Centre Arts Council England Lambtrad The Vaults Partnership ArtSpace Love’s Cafe Vision North Somerset Weston Chamber of Commerce British Legion National Lottery Heritage Fund Voluntary Action North Xenint Broadoak Academy Printmaking Space Somerset Citizens Advice North Quartet Community Walker and Ling Somerset Foundation Walliscote Primary School Dowlas ReACT Theatre Walsingham Planning Destination Bristol Replenish West of England Growth Hub Federation of Small Businesses Revprop West of England Combined For All Healthy Living Centre RNLI Authority Forum of care home providers Rusty Club West of England Local Enterprise Partnership Grand Pier Sovereign Centre Weston Business Improvement St Monica’s Trust District Historic England SAFFA Weston Civic Society Homes England (the armed forces charity working with retired officers) Weston Collective The Hive and NSEA Weston College Group 6.0 Resources 98

Team & Credits

Working closely with the North Somerset Photography by Paul Blakemore, Council,‘meanwhile’ thinking, architects and Turner Works, Burgess & Beech urban planning experts Turner Works joined forces with identity and branding outfit Burgess Poetry by Beth Calverley, The Poetry Machine & Beech to create a strategy for Weston, a vehicle for the re-imagination, repurposing Special thanks to: and reinvigoration of the town. Environment Mike Jones (For All Healthy Living Centre), and sustainability consultants Greengage Chris Fisher (Weston Museum), and the people focused on the socio-environmental strategy of Weston-super-Mare development; and retail and community analysis consultants Retail Revival undertook surveys to find out what the public would like to see in the town centre.

NORTH SOMERSET COUNCIL Client

TURNER WORKS Architect, Urban Design, Identity & Spatial Strategy

BURGESS & BEECH GREENGAGE Identity & Graphic Strategy Environmental & Social Strategy & Analysis

RETAIL REVIVAL Retail & Community Analysis & Consultation