Encouraging the area around the Central Library and Wyvern Theatre towards becoming a focal point for cultural activity.

Project Overview

Several years ago the area reaching from Regent’s Circus down to the Law Courts on Princes Street was identified as a possible ‘cultural quarter’ centred around the theatre and known as ‘The Promenade’. Two earlier reports have explored this idea (BroadwayMalyan – The Promenade: A New Cultural Quarter 2006, and Capita Architecture – The Promenade 2008) and Forward Swindon’s current work is building on this legacy through small-scale improvements and developments.

Building slowly over the last couple of years, the area, currently being called CQ1 (Cultural Quarter 1^st Phase) has now become home to a huge number of cultural activities, including: Create Studios; a number of arts organisations and creative industries based above the Wyvern; Post Modern Gallery and Artsite studios; the Museum of Computing; film nights in Cafe Ambience; Wilts & Berks Canal Trust; public art in the library; Music Entertainment Cultural Arena (MECA); Swindon Dance National Dance Academy; and, of course, the Wyvern Theatre and the Central Library. Furthermore the area is boosted by a number of shops as well as bar/cafe provision. CQ1 is not a plan to create a cultural area; it is already there. Forward Swindon’s work is about helping the area to grow and improve slowly but surely. To that end, the project has several main areas:

a.    Cultural Quarter Seminar

In partnership with Arts Council South West and SBC’s Culture Team, we are planning to hold a seminar with representatives from all the organisations in the area plus the ‘great and the good’, to discuss the future of CQ1.

b.    Physical Improvements

Forward Swindon was approached by Groundwork SW with a possible project through the Marks & Spencer green bag scheme. The area around Theatre Square was proposed and, subsequently, Groundwork created a scheme for making small scale ‘green’ improvements to the area, in partnership with SBC and Forward Swindon. Importantly, the project focuses heavily on involving local groups both before, during and after the works, culminating in a refresh of railings etc., some beautiful plant beds and places to simply sit and enjoy the space.

c.    Promotion

As one element in Forward Swindon’s role to promote the town, particular ideas are being developed to raise awareness of CQ1. This may include physical work (signs, window displays etc.) and printed material including, as a priority, a map showing all the organisations currently on the site.