Possibly lost in translation, but there’s plans to convert this empty space into… an empty space, apparently. Whatever it is, it definitely won’t be a new Tesco.
In the miasma of stuff that passes by in the local news stream, I spotted this one from the Express & Star the other day, and It’s puzzled me. I can read the subtext clearly enough – Tesco aren’t coming, get used to it – but there’s other stuff in there that I find a bit perplexing.
You can read the article on the Express & Star website, and I’ve also transcribed it at the foot of this article.
Of course, it could just be inattentive reporting, but this is rather odd. It seems we have a new Regeneration officer, and they’ve decided Brownhills needs some love. Great, good start. I think we’d all support that – I certainly do.
Apparently, we’re clearing the ‘artworks’ out of Ravens Court (or the marketplace – what?) in order that we can hold functions and events in the precinct. Ravens Court has no artworks – it has a wrought iron gate affair, erected in the late nineties, and some artful ‘boulders’ which were clearly approved by someone with an interesting sense of humour at the same time. This peculiar street furniture hasn’t prevented events occurring there previously, like the Christmas Magic event in 2010.
I was under the impression that Ravens Court was privately owned, as that’s why the fancy paving stopped at it’s borders. Is this now the council’s to prettify? What, indeed, happened to the Tesco it was to be demolished to build? Didn’t Tesco buy Ravens Court, or did they get the Council to acquire it for them?
The former marketplace is now so empty it could double as a heliport, and last year, the Canal Festival expanded into that space anyway. I’m puzzled as to why we need a regeneration officer’s permission to do that.
There’s also the question of ‘bringing up footfall’. Out of 20 or so units in the dilapidated, slowly decaying precinct, only 2 within the space are occupied. Footfall to what, exactly, is not clear.
What is clear is that there’s no money for this. The following quote is a beauty:
Mrs Rolls added: “We’re trying to get businesses to take ownership of the town,” added Mrs Rolls. “We also want to encourage businesses to give something back to their loyal customers which we’ve seen to be successful in other areas. It’s all about supporting your local high street.”
In other words, we’ve got no cash, you’ll have to pay for it yourselves.
Walsall Council, having sold Brownhills to Tesco for a quick knee trembler and a handful of ridiculous promises, is now telling local businesses they royally shafted that they have to pay for this flight of fancy, implying there’s no cash on the table.
Never mind, your local community activists are on the case. There’s absolute outrage, petitions and campaigns. Councillors are fully supportive. The hubbub is only about the trees on the common, regrettably, but it’s keeping them all occupied. The Quixotic village elders are distracted by tilting at their self constructed windmill, and may only actually notice the rest of the town is buggered when they’ve seen off the conservationist hoards.
Of course, none of them swallowed the council regeneration line the first time, did they? If they had, one could understand them avoiding the subject.
Brownhills is a very literary place these days. It a few short years, it’s gone from Bleasdale-esque tragedy, called in at Monty Python surrealism, gone through Brian Rix farce and is now paying a call at Dario Fo. Sadly, the community will continue to pay, even though it can’t.
Apparently, these rocks are artworks, no longer fit for purpose. I had no idea they ever had one at all.
Plans revealed for site of old Brownhills Market
Summer and Christmas events will be held on the site of the former Brownhills Market, under plans revealed today.
It is also hoped a rundown shopping area in the town could be turned into a civic space, with the old artwork being taken away and empty units given a new lease of life.
An events calendar will be drawn up, with festivals to be held in the summer and throughout the festive period. Council chiefs will approach businesses for their backing.
Potential sites identified by officers include the former Brownhills Market site and Ravenscourt.
Nikki Rolls, town centre regeneration officer for Walsall Council, said the proposals had been drawn up to attract more traders and visitors to the town.
“We’re trying to come up with innovative ideas to bring people into the town,” said Mrs Rolls.
“We understand Brownhills High Street is in need of some severe regeneration, such as the Ravenscourt area.
“There’s been a lot of artwork pieces put in there that are at least 30 years old. They haven’t been managed or maintained and they are no longer fit for purpose.
“This is not a thriving area, so we plan to remove the artwork and use the area as a civic space. It’s a safe pedestrianised area, so we could use this to bring up footfall.”
Mrs Rolls added: “We’re trying to get businesses to take ownership of the town,” added Mrs Rolls. “We also want to encourage businesses to give something back to their loyal customers which we’ve seen to be successful in other areas. It’s all about supporting your local high street.”
After the town won a silver award at the Heart of England in Bloom competition last year, the Town Centre Partnership is now looking to revamp the area in a bid to win a silver gilt award in this year’s competition.
To achieve this, the team is looking at clearing overgrown areas, window wrapping empty units to make them more attractive and producing a town shopping guide.”