Happen - Lime Light
Happen - Bedford
Exploring how artists can contribute to regeneration
The aim of this partnership has been to explore how artists can contribute to the objectives of the Bedford Improvement District (BID) in boosting the town centre economy, through kick-starting the regeneration of Lime Street. HAPPEN's proposition was that a series of artistic interventions could increase the distinctiveness, attractiveness and vibrancy of Lime Street, thus increasing footfall and inwards investment.
A programme of performances (cross-artform) and three artist residencies (visual art) was developed. Local artists, Gemma Hutton, Chris Legg and Olindo Piombino were appointed to develop new work in response to the issues in Lime Street and HAPPEN engaged Nic Fryer of Small Change Theatre to manage an associated performing arts strand. Through this project, Lime Street is evolving from a "failing street" (with over fifty-percent of the retail units unoccupied) into a creative “hub”. The emphasis has been on fun and accessibility, and with opportunities for young people and students to display their talents as well as professionals. The programme ran from the end of May 2006 until early October 2006, after which the project will be reviewed and evaluated.
HAPPEN's vision is for Lime Street to become Bedford’s “creative” quarter; a counterpart (albeit smaller) to the “cultural” quarter taking shape on the other side of the High Street, which will be heritage-led. Through negotiations with landlords, and the use of grants and soft loans to encourage re-location, it is hoped that over time the vacant units in the street will be let out to local “creatives” to form a sustainable retail, catering and leisure cluster together with existing tenants. Other longer-term possibilities include a Lime Street festival, an increased public art presence, and the creation of live/work spaces for artists and non-retail creative businesses.
Bedford is the first small town in Britain to be selected to pilot a Business Improvement District initiative (a concept popularised in the United States). The initiative is being run by Bedford BID, a separate company under the auspices of the Bedford Town Centre Company.
Bedford loses many customers to Milton Keynes, Cambridge and London, with whom it cannot compete purely in terms of the range of goods and retailers on offer. The BID initiative is intended to help it to find new ways of encouraging local people to visit the town centre.
HAPPEN feel that creativity has an important role to play shaping the public realm and in making places unique and attractive to visitors. With everything to play for this partnership between local business and the arts has proved to be both timely and mutually beneficial.
Start date: 31 May 2006
End date: 1 October 2006
Parent Project:
ProjectsMore information
Documents
Art forms
- Combined arts
Themes
- Quality of built environment
Interventions
- New ways of working with LAs
Target groups
- Local business
Venue
- Bedford