£3million boost to bid to transform city's railway arches - The Worcester Observer

£3million boost to bid to transform city's railway arches

Worcester Editorial 18th Jan, 2019   0

WORCESTER’s historic railway arches are set for a £3million transformation into a major new cultural destination for the city, providing a hub for business and creative skills development.

Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Jeremy Wright MP has awarded the cash boost to an ambitious £4.5million project from a new fund together with the Arts Council England which focuses on developing the economic impact of creative industries, arts and heritage.

Cash from the Cultural Development Fund will be used to create a new key gateway for the city, following the line of the Victorian arches from Foregate Street railway station to The Hive and the River Severn.

Eight of the arches will be refurbished, becoming work and creative spaces to transform the area into a modern, 21st Century workplace for creative industries and a cultural destination for tourists and local communities.




A leadership and entrepreneurial skills programme will also be developed to encourage graduates and others to seek ways into employment and business start-up, with 67 new jobs being created and more than 500 training places.

A Festivals Hub will be established in the arches, delivering festivals and cultural events across Worcester. The hub will support festival organisers, encouraging skills development and volunteer opportunities in the creative industries.


The arches will also host an information point for tourists visiting the city and continue to be a thriving vibrant home for independent retail and food offers.

City Council chiefs teamed up with the University of Worcester, Severn Arts, Network Rail, Worcestershire Arts Partnership, the county council and local businesses such as Burger Shop to prepare the bid as part of the Worcester Cultural Partnership, which will make up the remaining £1.5million cost of the project.

Coun Marc Bayliss, Worcester City Council leader, said: “Revitalising Worcester’s historic arches is a key part of our vision for the city centre and I welcome this funding which will help us unite our city’s heritage and its vibrant future.”

Professor David Green, vice chancellor and chief executive of the University of Worcester, said: “The renovation and fresh use of the railway arches will create a modern, 21st century centre for the creative industries in Worcester.

These industries bring so much enjoyment, employment and benefit to our society.

“Winning this bid and the opening of the new University of Worcester Art House means that 2019 is shaping up to be a red-letter year for art, culture, creativity and industry in Worcester.”

Laura Worsfold, chief executive of Severn Arts, said: “This will have a significant impact on transforming this part of the city into a vibrant new artistic quarter for everyone.

“Severn Arts is at a pivotal moment in its development as a cultural charity, supporting music education and the arts, and looks forward to being a partner in this exciting venture.”

Mark Chislett, co-founder of Method Coffee Roasters in the arches, said: “Relocating our business to Worcester arches last year we could see the huge potential of the area to be a focal point for makers and artisan producers like us – somewhere we could connect with the wider community and create a space to showcase our work and offer a quality experience.

“I think the success of this bid is huge news for Worcester. City centres need to work harder than ever to stand out and attract visitors – I believe that’s exactly what this project can do,” he added.

Revitalising the arches to provide a new pedestrian walkway from Foregate Street railway station is a key part of Worcester’s draft City Centre Masterplan, which is currently under consideration by the City Council.

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