Plans for welcome arches could breathe new life into Monmouth’s Church Street, enhancing its charm and boosting local businesses.
Monmouth: There’s a plan in the works to give a boost to a pedestrian shopping area that’s been a bit forgotten. They’re looking to install some welcome arches to make Church Street more inviting.
This street is home to the historic Savoy Theatre and a bunch of other listed buildings. The idea is to draw more people in and get them exploring the area. It connects the main high street to some lovely spots like St Mary’s Priory Church.
The local council has snagged some funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund to help with this project. But here’s the catch—they need to use the money by March. So, they’re hustling to get everything approved.
They’ve asked for permission to put up those archways, add some lights along the street, and put up signs to guide folks to nearby shops. They also want to set up an info board at the entrance to Church Street.
Plus, they’re looking to replace some wires on the listed buildings to keep everything looking nice. They first applied for planning permission back in September but had to tweak their plans a bit in December, which are now under review.
The council’s all about supporting local businesses, especially since Church Street and White Swan Court have been struggling a bit. They’ve noticed that foot traffic has dropped since the pandemic, and many people don’t even realize these spots are there.
They did a survey and found that a lot of residents and visitors just pass through without stopping to shop or eat. So, they’re hoping these changes will make a difference.
To keep the historic vibe intact, the archways will be attached to existing CCTV posts instead of the old buildings. They’re also planning to install some wires for lights and decorations, which are already in place for Christmas.
The council is on a tight timeline, needing to wrap things up by March 2025. They’re aiming to have everything set up before the signage goes up to avoid any hiccups.
