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The London Road has always been the main route into Bath from London, and is known as one of the main arterial routes into the city. From Roman legionnaires to the Royal progress of Queen Elizabeth I when she included Bath in her visit to the South West, the London Road has seen a rich and varied history of the development of Bath as a City. Snow Hill was once rows of Victorian and Georgian terraced housing, until the blitz. destroyed several houses in the area during the 2nd World War. The flats were constructed in the 1960始s and Berkeley House was the first tower block to have been built in the South West, and the only tower block to ever have been built in Bath. In more recent times the London Road and Snow Hill area has gained a reputation for being a dangerous place to live. The murder outside the Longacre Tavern in 2007 is still talked about, and identified as one of the most worrying things about living in the area. The empty shops along with the heavy traffic and soot blackened buildings, give the impression of an area that has fallen onto hard times.
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Walcot & World’s End Community Trust Ltd is a social enterprise set up by a group of local residents, and supported by RE:generate as the key anchor organisation that will drive the community led regeneration of the London Road and Snow Hill area of Bath. WWECT is promoting existing community projects and launching new ones in various parts of the London Road area. • •
For the regeneration of the entire London Road area, using its wide range of assets to improve the lives of local people to tackle major concerns, such as traffic, pollution and parking
The aim is for most community projects to be self-financing and for some to provide finance for other projects which need to be run either free of charge or below cost. We have also supported one of our projects, FoLAH, to submit to the Council, plans for a self-financing community arts, lifestyle and business hub at the three derelict Longacre buildings. The Longacre would provide the enough space to ensure that WWECT projects are selffinancing or financed by profit making social enterprises. However, our plans are not restricted to the development of these buildings and we are exploring other physical assets in the area.. Existing projects include: RR health and Beauty Community arts workshops Business mentoring
Gardening Outside catering Revival of community dinners
Projects at the planning stage include: Outdoor fitness Photo and art competitions Possible solutions to parking issues
Solar energy Revival of community café
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Gardening: Vision: For people who do not have a garden to learn how to grow flowers, fruit and vegetables. To brighten up the Snow Hill area and develop locally run projects for children and young people. Raised beds could be a future development of the gardening group.
Progress so far: In Spring 2011 over 30 local participants of all ages came to plant garden boxes, flower pots, fruit and herbs. The event was a great success, with local residents learning all about looking after flowers and plants, growing strawberries, tomatoes, herbs and flowers. Originating as an idea to add some colour to Snow Hill, this project has tapped into several key issues that have been highlighted over the past year. Lack of youth provision in Snow Hill is highlighted as a key problem, especially for ages 4-13. Many parents are concerned that there is very little for them to do, and everything that there is costs too much money. Local leaders and social entrepreneurs Caroline, Julie and Michelle developed the simple yet effective idea that involving children and young people in developing garden boxes for their balconies is a great way to tackle this issue.
Summary of the Vision: 1. To make better use of the green spaces in Snow Hill. 2.To create a community garden where fresh fruit and vegetables can be grown. 3. Create the opportunity for children and adults who don始t have a garden to access the green space.
Whats the plan for the future? Utilizing some of the empty and disused green spaces in Snow Hill, ideas include the following: Fruit and nut trees, Community garden and a Seed exchange .
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Arts workshops Vision: Many residents have said that they want arts workshops to develop creativity for children and adults. Arts workshops also provide fun and a break from everyday tasks. The workshops provide a variety of artistic skills, in drawing and painting, print making and ceramics. If these are to cater for a large number of residents, they will need larger premises than at present. Progress so far : Arts workshops for mums and toddlers Sessions for mums and toddlers at Centre Track and at the Gateway centre have proved a great success, with the mums as keen to get creative as the kids. Arts workshop (after school) for all ages at Centre Track This is a new project for Snow Hill residents to have a go at painting, ceramics and print making. Ceramics expert and project leader Angie says, “This was a rip roaring success. Thanks, Kath, for your support. Phew!� Project leader Angie and Snow Hill residents are planning a Christmas party for the last session of tyear on 21 December.
KEY INFORMATION: Owned by SOMER It is available for local Somer residents to use for workshops and activities. This room has supported several local projects including R&R Hair and Beauty, Friends of Longacre Hall and Friends of Kensington Meadows. Other uses could involve cooking classes, community cafe, and cafe for elderly residents.
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Business mentoring Vision: London Road entrepreneurs and other members of the Small Business Focus and Entrepreneurs Club, along with the City of Bath College and Bath universities to provide advice to new businesses in the London Road area. Other London Road small business leaders could also offer mentoring to start-up enterprises.
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Progress so far: The Small Business Focus and Entrepreneurs Club have given advice to R & R Health and Beauty. Other small business leaders in the London Road have agreed to provide mentoring. Food recycling scheme with Morrison’s and other local food stores Vision: Negotiation with Morrison’s and other local food shops to allow unused food which reaches its sell-by date to be given to an established and approved organisation that will use it to feed the homeless and others on very low or no income.
Summary of the Vision: 1.For existing, successful businesses to support new startups and community initiatives. 2. For large businesses such as Morrisonʼs to involve themselves in more local schemes, and help to reduce the CO2 output in the area.
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Solar energy Vision: Many residents want solar energy as a way of cutting their household fuel bills, as electricity and gas get more expensive. And they also want to take a more eco-friendly approach to energy. Progress so far: Local residents have done research into the cost of solar energy and the payback from feed-in tariffs to the national grid. They have looked at different solar energy technologies and the different ways in which households pay for electricity and gas. For example, key meters are the most expensive means of payment. Some residents have taken part in Bath Preservation Trust’s initiative to assess the best way of applying energy saving measures, including solar energy, in the London Road area. The project covers all buildings, including relatively new buildings such as Snow Hill, older buildings and listed buildings
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Many residents of the London Road see it as an as an eyesore. The gateway to the World Heritage City of Bath, it does not present a very welcoming image. A huge contributing factor to this is the traffic, which is constantly flowing throughout the day and night. London Road and some Snow Hill residents feel the vibrations of the HGV’s vibrating through the floor. Traffic Schemes to reduce traffic such as banning HGVs or introducing a toll on the road to bring money into the area are some of the ideas that have developed to tackle these issues. After having seen the results of the listening matters report, Bath and North East Somerset Council, has proposed a temporary ban on HGV’s, due to the strength of the concerns surrounding this issue.
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Parking Vision: Parking is a major concern and the problem is getting worse. Residents want to be able to park near to or outside their homes and not have their places taken by people working in the area or shoppers who then walk into town. Lack of local parking is also seen as a huge barrier to local development. Suggestions: Signposting of existing parking places that are not obvious from the London Road, such as in Bedford Street, Weymouth Street, and behind Richer Sounds. Negotiation of overnight parking at Morrison’s with a badge scheme.
Summary of the Vision: 1. Reduced traffic on the London Road, especially HGVʼs 2. Existing car parks better signposted. 3. Negotiations with Morrisons for overnight parking for local residents.
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The empty shops concern many residents and they feel that these indicate a degeneration of the area. Many local people have start-up business ideas, but cannot find suitable premises in a high rent city such as Bath. New Local Businesses
R & R Hair and Beauty Vision: To launch a social enterprise providing affordable hair and beauty treatments to clients, training and apprenticeships to hair and beauty students, and to set aside money for community events and activities. Entrepreneur and Snow Hill resident Roxy says “I really want to be able to fund activities for kids. When we were younger there were loads of clubs close by during the holidays. Nothing like that is around anymore. This area needs it. ” Progress so far: Roxy has held a number of “Pamper Days” at Snow Hill in 2010 and 2011 to establish her client base. All the money raised will be going to community events, especially towards children’s activities in the area. She has engaged with the Small Business Focus, a federation of small businesses in Bath, and the Entrepreneurs’ Club, formed by local businesses, the Colleges and universities working together to help students and anyone wanting to set up their own businesses. She plans to offer training and apprenticeships to College students once her business is fully established. Roxy says: “One of the main reasons why hairdressers and beauticians don’t get jobs after qualifying is that they do not have salon experience. This project will help give people the experience they need.” Outside catering Vision: To set up an outside catering business supplying meals, dinners and party food.
Summary of the Vision: 1.Lowered business rates for local new and startup businesses. 2. Shops that cater to the needs of local people. 3. A community cafe space for local people to gather. 4. Use of shop windows for local art exhibitions.
Progress so far: Entrepreneur and local chef Lucy has been building up her client base and needs suitable premises to expand her business. She could perhaps share space with the community café planned by other residents, either at the currently derelict Longacre buildings (numbers 2, 3 and 4) or in one of the empty shops. She has secured some investment for her enterprise and would like to do outside catering on a part-time basis until her business is more established.
Clothes shop Vision: To set up a clothes shop selling a limited number of each item for preteens and teenagers, and plus size adults. Local entrepreneurs Sonia and Mark foresee that the clothes should be both fashionable and affordable. The shop could be set up in small premises, maybe one of the empty shops, until the business builds up its client base. Cultural café Vision: A café for non-British cuisine and where other nationalities can meet their compatriots and local British residents. There are Chinese, Japanese, people from the Indian subcontinent, Polish and other Eastern European people who live in the London Road and Snow Hill who have no cultural centre. This café would be separate from the community café as it would provide different menus and specialities. It could be set up in one of the empty shops. Hot desking office space for people working from home Vision: Space at affordable rents with costs to be shared between hot deskers, maybe on a coop basis. This would help home workers to be less isolated and encourage ideas exchange. Premises could include empty shops or the currently derelict Longacre buildings. Training and work experience Vision: Many would welcome the opportunity to gain some training and work experience locally. Projects such as R&R Hair and Beauty would start to bring these ideas together, as well as other projects planned for the derelict Longacre buildings. Local Pub where local people can walk in and relax (especially near to Snow Hill) Community shop for unwanted items/Bring and buy sales/Swap parties Profitable high-tech businesses from University of Bath incubation centre Vision: In order to bring people into the area, establishing a link between the Innovation Centre at Carpenter House, and some of the empty premises on the London road, could not only attract investment into the area, but also offer apprenticeships, training and work experience schemes to local residents. Photo and other art competitions Vision: To encourage participants to value the art they create in the arts workshops at Centre Track and the Gateway centre, elsewhere in the area, and potentially at the empty Longacre buildings. Competitions will be aimed at encouraging new particpants to the workshops. The winners will be chosen by public vote on the internet through the WWECT website. Residents will negotiate with local businesses to donate prizes for different categories of artist and different media.Arts and local history exhibitions Vision: To use empty shop fronts for exhibitions of arts created by residents and local history researched and presented by local people. This would improve the look of these shops until they are let as businesses again. To use the community café for arts and local history exhibitions. The art could be for sale. Also to link up with museums, such as Holborne, Bath at Work, Building of Bath Museum, and local historians, for local art and history.
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Friends of Longacre Hall 2,3 and 4 Longacre are buildings at the heart of the London Road and Snow Hill community that have been empty for a number of years. However memories of a training centre, the West Indian Centre, a community café, and a 2nd hand shop have not faded. The Friends of Longacre Hall, established in May 2011 would like to build on these happy memories, and tackle local concerns around empty shops, unemployment, lack of affordable business space, and lack of community space. They have worked on a business proposal for the buildings to ensuring its financial viability and are looking to to develop a self financing Community Social Enterprise and Training Hub. Activities would include Community café Vision: Many residents want a place where they can meet and get together in the area. The absence of such a place is a main concern. The café would be a child-friendly space where adults can meet and children can play. Residents want to revive this successful project either at Longacre or in one of the empty shops. Progress to date: The initial community café was running successfully at the Gateway centre but as an unlicensed premises, had to come to an end. Several residents would like to set up another community café at the Longacre, which would be the ideal place. If that is not possible, one of the larger empty shops might provide an alternative if the rent is not too high. Dance club Vision: To hold dance sessions of different types of dance for all ages aimed at beginners and more practised dancers. The sessions would be led by local residents. This project needs suitable premises, potentially at the Longacre. Glass art Vision: To set up artistic glassmaking for local residents. As this requires specialist premises, the Longacre would be ideal. Our plans include a safe place for glass blowing and a safe place for a kiln to fire ceramics.
Summary of the Vision: 1.A community hub of social enterprise. 2. A training facility with links to Bath City College, and school across the city. 3. A welcoming, inspiring and creative place.
Music and performance venue Vision: To reinstate a music and performance venue for London Road musicians and performers and for local residents. Two previous local music and performance venues, the Porter Butt and at the Hat and Feather, have now closed. Several residents, would like to go to live performances rather than staying at home to watch TV. Office and meeting space for local voluntary organisations (eg LRSHP, residents’ association, Friends of Kensington Meadows, Friends of Kensington Gardens - low cost or free. These groups rarely have much money for regular meeting spaces or offices and local resident participation would be encouraged by having a central meeting place. Ideal location Longacre.) Music lessons Vision: For resident musicians to give lessons to local children and adults in various instruments. These could be home-based but it would be preferable to have music rooms, for example at the Longacre. Local residents Katy and Sarah are interested in persuing htis idea further. Local food market selling locally grown produce The idea of local resident, Julie, this could be included with London Road Food Coop and situated in Community café if the premises are large enough. Hot desking office space for people working from home - space at affordable rents, costs to be shared with other hot deskers, maybe on a coop basis. This would help home workers to be less isolated and encourage ideas exchange. Premises could include empty shops or Longacre. Make do and mend sessions (clothes, bikes, buggy maintenance, furniture repairs – need suitable space for these, including materials and equipment storage, although clothes could be done in someone’s home if the group is small enough) Library/book exchange Vision: To operate from community café.
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The people of the London Road and Snowhill are like no other! The skills and talents of the people of the area are second to none. From musicians to make up ar;sts, accountants to aromatherapists. It is the vision and ambi;on of WWECT to build on these skills and unlock the latent talents of the area for the benefit of people, powered, change. LET Scheme Vision: To set up a scheme in Snow Hill where people can exchange their goods and services without any money changing hands. Local residents are building up the scheme so that people can get goods and services free of charge in exchange for providing some kind of service in return. It might be lending someone a step ladder, doing some babysitting or gardening, or help filling in forms. The list is endless! Several residents have noted that there are a large number of isolated individuals in Snow Hill. They have also said that quite often they cannot afford to buy goods, or pay for services such as babysitting and hairdressing. A LET Scheme allows new people to meet, it builds trust within a community, reducing fear and hostility between neighbours. Known skills that exist in the community – arts, business, admin, IT, accountants, chefs, musicians, youth workers, sound engineers, dancers, writers, actors, photographers, graphic designers, fitness instructors, teachers, solicitors, carpenters, electricians, car mechanics, bike mechanics, gardening specialists, gardeners, builders, antiques dealers and restorers, vets, office administrators, health professionals.
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A hidden gem just behind Morrisons, Kensington Meadows is a large green space that provides a tranquil oasis away from the heavy traffic and pollution on the London road. Friends of Kensington Meadows is a group of local residents that runs local projects and events and works with the Council on ensuring that wildlife is protected, and the space is used. Outdoor fitness project Vision: To promote better fitness for all ages at affordable prices. Progress so far: Local entrepreneur and qualified fitness instructor Patrick has designed affordable training courses for various levels of fitness, which he would like to deliver at Kensington Meadows and Snow Hill. Minimal or no equipment is needed, and local residents are organising a small amount of wooden equipment, including pull up bars, to be built at Kensington Meadows. The equipment, which will be designed to fit in with the natural environment, will not get in the way of other activities. It will be placed to have as little impact as possible on the views of surrounding houses. The Council has set out its requirements to give approval and it will supply the wood. Patrick says: “Lots of people find exercise boring, so I make it fun by having different people do different activities in the same session. There are also exercises where people work together, like boxercise. And this doesn’t mean you hit your partner! You just stretch out one hand then the other, each person using the opposite hand.” He adds: “Kensington Meadows is really good because there is so much space – and also it is flat!” More frequent litter picking at Kensington Meadows Solution to issues of dog control and dog poo : at Kensington Meadows and elsewhere in the London Road area. Wildlife conservation at Kensington Meadows Link with local schools for science projects and monitoring of wildlife for the Bristol Regional Environmental Records Centre (BRERC), with help from BRERC experts. Local volunteers to reinstate wild plants and trees suitable to the different habitats with help from BRERC. More wildlife events and talks organised by residents and given by wildlife experts. Wild swimming in River Avon from London Road area Ferry, Morrison’s or Council riverside land to Cleveland Pools
Summary of the Vision: 1.A local community hub where people feel welcome and safe. 2. An inspirational space that channels the creativity and artistic talent that exists in the area. 3. Incubation space for new startup businesses. 4.A place to break down the barriers in the divided London Road and Snow Hill Community.