[Gayle]

There are plans to create a new public space in Accrington either outside the market hall, or the town hall or in the space currently occupied by the bus station.

There is an international competition to find the designs to alter one of those spaces. This project is managed by Elevate East Lancashire - see the attached flyers.

There was an initial consultation exercise at Accrington Town Hall today to start to talk to local people about what is actually wanted in those spaces. There was a piece in the Acc Observer about it last week but it was quite small so I can imagine you may have over looked it. All the purpose of today's consultation was, was to start the debate so there were 10 questions being asked.

I asked those organising it if I could post the questions on here on their behalf to get some additional views.

Here are the questions

1. There is always the good, bad and the ugly but what do you love about Accrington and what are the great things that make it unique?

2. When visiting the town centre, where do you go; is market a place you visit, do you stop, people watch, meet friends, have a coffee or just pass by? What currently happens in the spaces around the town hall and market place?

3. What is the Pennine Landscape?

4. Are there any people and/or events in Accrington’s history which might be reflected in the designs?

5. What is the best time of year to be in Accrington town centre?

6. If Accrington town centre was a meal, what would it be and what would it taste of?

7. What is the essential character and quality of Accrington and its people that distinguishes Accrington from its neighbouring Pennine towns?

8. What aspects or preconceptions of the town, its character, culture or community would you like the scheme either to reinforce or dispel?

9. New public spaces will be created in front of the town hall, market place and in the space currently occupied by the bus station in Peel Street. What do you, the residents of Accrington, want to see in these spaces?

10. What would make Accrington a better place?


Please put your answers in this thread. This is a genuine attempt to support a consultation and hopefully get some debate going, I will report any posts that wander. Thanks for your help.