Lancaster BID is working in partnership with Lancaster City Council to make a huge visual impact in the city centre.
Whilst Lancaster BID’s recent sponsorship of the Spring bedding in Dalton Square has already brought some colour to the city, this is just the start of much bigger plans.
The first phase of greening the city centre is due to start on Church Street later this spring. Numerous planters will add colour and vibrancy along the length of the street with plans to complement this with bespoke Lancaster branded bunting hanging overhead.
Longer term it is anticipated that future phases will roll out the strategy across the whole city centre.
Rachael Wilkinson, Lancaster BID Manager, said “Lancaster BID recognises the important role an attractive city centre has in promoting a thriving and vibrant place to visit and do business.”
It’s not just planting schemes that Lancaster BID have their sights on. Lancaster BID is also working with the city council to improve the numerous ginnels throughout the city centre. Work has already been completed in autumn 2018 to repair and improve the walls, ceilings and floors in Music Room Passage, Sir Simon’s Arcade and Golden Ball Lane. These locations, all off Market Street, are due to be further enhanced with bespoke lighting schemes which are currently being finalised to attract visitors to venture down the ginnels and experience the businesses operating behind them.
This work is all part of a longer term strategic plan to visually enhance the whole of the city centre making it a more attractive place for people to visit, live, work and do business.
Regular maintenance is also key which is why Lancaster BID also funds additional cleansing in the city centre to ensure standards remain high.
The last year has seen a significant improvement in the cleanliness of ginnels as well as rapid action to tackle graffiti and fly tipping. Chewing gum removal has also been a priority with BID commissioning the removal of gum from 5,000 square metres of paving in 2018 and ensuring the City Council have then kept on top of the issue.
After securing a ‘Special Mention’ from the judges of the Great British High Street Awards in 2018, it is hoped that the city will see even more success in 2019 as further improvements are delivered. Future submissions to Britain in Bloom are also planned.
To suggest locations for the next phases of improvement work or to highlight any city centre issues please contact the Lancaster BID team on 01524 590650 or [email protected].
