Explore ways to create a clear and coherent approach to the staging of events in Wharf Green and on the Big Screen .

Project Overview

With an aim to have more regular events in Wharf Green, Forward Swindon, working closely with inSwindon and SBC, has been conducting research into how events would/could work more efficiently and more often in the area. Through being involved with events and by looking at what other towns/cities do, a number of actions have been identified which Forward Swindon is working on (see timeline below).

The main approach taken by Forward Swindon is based on a slow but steady building up of activity, and is primarily about working with the key partners (inSwindon, the BBC and SBC) to establish a regular calendar of events and shared marketing responsibilities.

Our approach enables obstacles to be discovered and tackled one by one, rather than all at once, and gives a solid foundation on which to build other activity and from which to inform event organisers. The first phase in this project was to set up a market in Wharf Green (see our brochure promoting markets all across Swindon). Next we add children’s entertainment to the mix, and then find small scale events to be delivered in front of, and using, the Big Screen. The result of this approach is to establish regular activity that then enables better promotion, marketing and sponsorship opportunities, and, ultimately, a model that will be financially self-sustaining. To move these ideas along, Forward Swindon ensures that a number of events happen in the space; for example, Forward Swindon is behind interactive Wimbledon events, Opera tie-ins with the Roayl Opera House and the BBC, and the Last Night of the Proms. For information about events in Wharf Green see www.swindontowncentre.co.uk.

Other projects relating to this project as part of a bigger plan to develop town centre activity:

St. George’s Day

Cultural Quarter

Olympic Games 2012