FOCUS ON BROMLEY

PUBLIC REALM

IMPROVEMENTS to enhance the vitality of town centres in Bromley

Bromley Council is committed to enhancing the vitality of town centres throughout the borough, for the benefit of residents, local businesses and visitors. Investing in the borough’s high streets will support the recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, which has changed the way we use our town centres.

Bromley Council appointed consultants Turner Works and YOU&ME Architecture in August 2020 to deliver a series of permanent public realm improvements located within Bromley High Street. The project brief includes the provision of covered seating to encourage the introduction of more food outlets within the high street, an all-weather performance space to enable a range of events and a sculptural statement piece to define the character of the town centre and contribute to a sense of place. The proposal will diversify the leisure and culture offer within the town centre, drive footfall and thereby support local business. Turner Works and YOU&ME Architecture have responded to the project brief with a series of interventions which draw inspiration from different elements of Bromley’s past and present including Music and Culture, Science and Technology, Fiction and Intervention, Health and Nourishment. The commission will transform the use of the pedestrianised area of the high street and build on the landscape improvements delivered to date to activate the town for quality high street programming and make it known as a centre for recreation, leisure and culture as well as retail. Green House: Inspired by Charles Darwin and traditional half-timbered houses, the Green House is a glass canopy structured positioned to the south of Churchill Square. The Green House will provide shelter to a performance space and seating which will allow for a range of cultural events on the High Street and encourage all-weather dining. The Green House will be illuminated at night with soft LED lighting. Punk Rock: Within the Green House, the Punk Rock is an area of tiered seating from where performances on the raised stage can be viewed. The seating takes inspiration from the musical heritage of Bromley. Story Seating: Partly covered by the Green House canopy, the Story Seating will be a winding bench tiled with stories from Bromley’s past and present and poetry created by local community groups. Time Machine: Inspired by H.G. Wells, the Time Machine provides a focal point at the southern entrance of the High Street. The sculptural piece is constructed from a series of illuminated colourful portals and will display a poem written for Bromley derived from community engagement poetry sessions.

Broom Flower: Located in Market Square, the Broom Flower is a sculptural piece which references Health & Nourishment and wells. It is designed in the shape of the Broom flower from where Bromley takes its name. Consultation for the project has involved engagement with stakeholder groups, including YOUR Bromley BID, Bromley Town Ward Councillors and the Churchill Theatre, who have been invited to comment on the design proposals at each RIBA Stage. Public exhibition posters showing the design proposals have been on display outside the entrance to Bromley Central Library for one month. Further engagement with the local community has taken place via poetry co-creation sessions with 10 community groups. Groups were invited to an online one-hour session over Zoom with poet Beth Calverley from the Poetry Machine. During the sessions, participants told their stories of Bromley and Beth drafted these into individual poems. The resulting poems will be compiled into a Poem for Bromley which will be displayed as part of the sculptural installations and within the tiled Story Seating. ❛❛The project brief includes the provision of covered seating to encourage the introduction of more food outlets within the high street, an all-weather performance space to enable a range of events and a sculptural statement piece to define the character of the town centre and contribute to a sense of place.❜❜

Sidcup is more than ready to face the exciting challenges that face us all in the coming months. We have high expectations that the

community will continue to support the high street and the businesses that rely on local patronage.

Many of our businesses are looking at adapting their business models, changing their opening hours and offering more services, click and collect and takeaway are likely to continue and probably grow. Being flexible and having the tenacity to adapt quickly are key to success.

In terms of major investment work has really begun in earnest on the new library and cinema development a huge bonus for our town. The works include the erection of a four storey building to provide a 3-screen cinema with an additional studio, a library, a cafe and bar, provision of a Changing Places WC and also 9 residential flats comprising 3 x 1 bed and 6 x 2 bed flats.

New ways of working have been imposed on many people and as with most things in life there is a positive and negative side to these changes. Some have relished the idea of working from the comfort of their own home and haven’t missed waiting for a delayed train on a wet and windy morning. However, the stress of trying to work with limited equipment and space amongst all the normal household activities has for many been a major challenge.

Sidcup Partners will be looking to provide flexible low-cost office space in the town to accommodate those who are in need of a local bolt hole where they can work in peace but still not have to travel too far. Some of the vacant units that have appeared as a result of the lockdown are to be targeted for this purpose.

Lots of things have and will change but the reassurance of having a strong and vibrant high street providing a range of services remains constant.

Sidcup Partners Ltd

1 Elm Parade, Main Road, Sidcup, DA14 6NF