RESIDENTS and businesses are throwing their support behind plans for a ‘creative quarter’ in Luton, in the hope of winning a share in the £1 million Mary Portas Pilot Town fund.
The High Town ‘Town Team’ is hoping its bid to transform the area into a focus for the town’s arts and literature will win some of the government money.
Ideas for the area include a media centre and a showcase of local hatmakers’ talents.
Town Team member and local artist, photographer and creative director Ben Hodson said: “We have so many ideas for what we want to do. Luton no longer has a proper book shop, but there’s quite an active writers’ group in Luton so a centre for them would be great. We’d also put on poetry events, run educational workshops, English language classes and so on. It’s all about stimulating more business by attracting people to the area. Someone going to a poetry event would use the coffee shops and cafes, too. We want to attract boutiques, vintage clothes shops and so on. There’s no point trying to compete with the shopping centre so we want to create a bespoke area, a creative quarter of Luton. Somewhere a bit like Camden in London – a very creative scene. There isn’t really anywhere in the East of England like this, so we think High Town could really become something. George Street and The Mall are looking quite healthy at the moment, and by rejuvenating High Town it will benefit the whole of Luton.”
The Portas Pilot scheme was launched after the Government accepted the recommendations of the Mary Portas High Street review. Luton received one of the initial £100,000 government grants last month, but 12 more high streets will get another grant in May.
Ben said: “Luton Borough Council has been really good, giving us lots of help. We want to show what High Town high street could become.”
Ben admits there are limitations to what the Town Team can do, as things like parking, and rent rates are under control of the council, but they are hoping Town Team will act as a pressure group.
Ben said: “Having a focus is a really positive way of bringing more investments and business to the town. We want to make sure everyone that has a passion for High Town has the opportunity to be part of it.”
Visit www.thinkluton.co.uk to register your support, and watch the High Town bid video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kqYOGIN91E