Date published: 2024-10-01 | Category: Business support , Communities and volunteering, Delivering for local residents, Democracy, economic development, Giving people a bigger say, Improving people's lives, Leisure, Tourism and Heritage, Regeneration and Development, Somer Valley
Residents and businesses in Midsomer Norton are being invited to help write the next chapter for the town centre.
The High Street Regeneration Programme will continue to enhance the appeal of Midsomer Norton and support local trade through the creation of a plan in two parts: a Regeneration Action Plan and a Masterplan.
IMAGINE Midsomer Norton is a series of events and discussions over the autumn at which people can get involved in the plans and have their say on future project ideas to improve Midsomer Norton town centre.
The Regeneration Action Plan covers the whole town centre including the High Street, surrounding residential areas and the town park. The Masterplan focuses on an area around the former Midsomer Norton Brewery buildings at the lower end of the High Street.
These plans are an extension of the High Street Regeneration Programme that is currently under way. They will help set a future vision for Midsomer Norton town centre which can:
- Integrate modern infrastructure with heritage conservation to enhance the town and support local businesses
- Build a blueprint for future investment that aligns with the town’s aspirations and capitalises on its unique culture and heritage
- Provide a route map to a more vibrant and welcoming town centre for residents, businesses and visitors.
The first drop-in session where people can find out more is a virtual event on October 10 at 12pm and 5pm. Details of how to join can be found below.
Further in-person events are:
- November 2, 9am-1pm, The Hollies Gardens – Midsomer Norton Farmers Market pop-up and High Street silent disco, led by local artist Kevin Campbell Davidson.
- November 28, 5pm-7pm, The Hollies Gardens – Christmas market pop-up and Big Community Game Show, led by Kevin Campbell Davidson.
People can find out more about the project and add their comments on the dedicated webpage, which also has full event listings and booking information.
Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, said: “Midsomer Norton town centre has benefitted from £3.7m investment over the last five years to transform the town hall, improve public spaces, shopfront improvements and bring cultural and community projects for the town.
“This new masterplan and regeneration action plan for Midsomer Norton will build on the improvements already being made to identify priorities for future investment.
“Our aim is to continue to attract people into the town centre, making it a place that residents and visitors want to spend time in and supporting local businesses. Midsomer Norton is a conservation area ‘at risk’, so improving the visual quality of the buildings and public space is important. I hope many people will get involved and tell us how they would like to see Midsomer Norton improved for the future.”
Midsomer Norton is the second town in Bath and North East Somerset to benefit from town centre regeneration action plans funded by £750,000 from the West of England Combined Authority’s Housing and Regeneration Enabling Fund. A plan for Radstock has been completed and has already brought in significant funding and Action Plans for Twerton and Keynsham are also planned.
The joining instructions for the virtual event on October 10 are:
- Thursday 10 October, 12pm-1pm : Meeting ID: 377 119 123 514, passcode: ezNdtW. Dial in by phone: +44 1225 255230,677105990#
- Thursday 10 October, 5pm-6pm: Meeting ID: 361 970 748 897, passcode: 3y6jJW. Dial in by phone: +44 1225 255230,705113898#
Find out about all of the ongoing and planned regeneration projects across B&NES
The council will shortly be updating residents and businesses on the progress of the Market Square public realm improvement at The Island, Midsomer Norton.
ENDS