Originally Posted by garinda (Post 983148)

That's nothing to do with the Portas Pilot bid.

It's a different government initiative.

Their High Street Innovation Fund.

In which 100 ailing town's councils were given a £100,000., to try and solve the problem of so many empty shops.

The Portas Pilot scheme, of which Accrington has submitted a bid, has still to choose the twelve successful towns.

Originally Posted by MargaretR (Post 983151)

That Observer article is misleading/false - because it does say that it is from the Portas scheme.

"The borough has been awarded the money out of the £10million High Street Innovation Fund, which the Government is labelling its ‘Portas Plus’ plan"

Portas Plus - Portas Pilot - are they just confusing the issue?

Originally Posted by MargaretR (Post 983151)

That Observer article is misleading/false - because it does say that it is from the Portas scheme.

"The borough has been awarded the money out of the £10million High Street Innovation Fund, which the Government is labelling its ‘Portas Plus’ plan"

Portas Plus - Portas Pilot - are they just confusing the issue?

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 982816)

'Bid to be a ‘Portas Pilot -'

'The recent improvements to Platts Lodge, the railway station/Tesco development and the Market Hall are clear evidence of this proactive and co-ordinated approach.'

http://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/downloa...own_Centre.pdf



I do hope Accrington's bid hasn't made too much of a big deal about the massively imposing, new and shiny, town centre Tesco.

I don't think ol' ginger Bob is too keen on that sort of thing. Seeing as she wants the passing of plans for them to be taken out of the hands of local councillors, whose judgement might be swayed by the promise of a hefty financial bung if planning is approved, and the decision as to whether they are a benefit to wherever, taken down in Westminster.

A move that would probably be welcomed by Accrington's rapidly dwindling independent retailers. Who are always more than ready to tell people who still shop with them, that their businesses have suffered dramatically, since the new Tesco opened in Accrington's town centre.

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 994025)

Well, Mary turns a blind eye to Hyndburn's bid, but it's a thumbs up for Nelson.

High streets chosen for Mary Portas pilots - Telegraph

I bet it was thinking a new town centre Tesco was a good thing, and highlighting the fact on our application, that swung it.

Old ginger Bob positively hates them.

Oh well, nevermind.

There'll soon be new non-story pipe dreams, planted in the press, to get all excited about.

:rolleyes:

Originally Posted by jaysay (Post 994038)

:eek::eek::eek:Whats Nelson got the we haven't, well never mind we could be in the next wave of 15 to be awarded later, but I'm not holding mi breath.:rolleyes: (maybe because I can't really):D

Originally Posted by susie123 (Post 994043)

And yarn bombing? mentioned by Liskeard, one of the winners, as part of a "vibrant arts scene. WTF is that all about?

Yarn bombing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 994047)

Oh we've been there, done that.

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...art-55321.html

Knitty Nora was paid to take up residency in Accrington Arts Centre, whoops, meant Market Hall, crocheting gonks.

:rolleyes:

Originally Posted by susie123 (Post 994043)

If this is all about deprivation then surely it should be what have we got that Nelson hasn't - Accy is too good to be included?

I see that several of the winning bids mention street art and street theatre "putting the fun back into town centres". Is this what shoppers really want when they're in town? If so, perhaps the undesirables who it seems are putting folks off from shopping in Accrington could be rebranded as "street performers"? :eek::rolleyes:

And yarn bombing? mentioned by Liskeard, one of the winners, as part of a "vibrant arts scene. WTF is that all about?

Yarn bombing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Originally Posted by susie123 (Post 994049)

Thanks for that, I'd no idea. It was obviously a roaring success, sorry, can't be ar*ed to read through 50 pages of that thread to find out.:(

Originally Posted by Ken Moss (Post 994053)

I didn't agree with it then and I still don't now.

If we're to invest money in town centres then we need something long term, not a one off gimmick.

Originally Posted by Ken Moss (Post 994053)

If we're to invest money in town centres then we need something long term, not a one off gimmick.

Originally Posted by DaveinGermany (Post 994062)

Benches maybe ? :D

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 994066)

Don't start.

Germany's a bit too far for the Deputy Leader of H.B.C. to travel to easily, to tell you to keep your gob shut, because the gypsies didn't make off with the benches that were removed, and damaged beyond repair, as part of the 'experiment' to rid Accy of alkies.

;)

Originally Posted by jaysay (Post 994068)

Awe I don't know Rindi, maybe she could take in the deutschland on one of her retail therapy trips:rolleyes: