The Stourport Forward Market Towns Programme is a 4 year regeneration programme. During the first 3 years grants were awarded towards the cost of projects which were mainly delivered by partner agencies and all projects monitored closely by Stourport Forward. Up to £666,000 has been made available by Advantage West Midlands who fund and monitor the programme and this is projected to generate an additional £3.4 million of investment in the town through match funding to the projects. By taking on the role of Accountable Body (including employing the Programme Manager and part –time Project Administrator) British Waterways enabled this £4 million regeneration scheme to go ahead.
Stourport Forward Limited is a Company Limited by Guarantee which was initially created to deliver and manage the Market Towns Programme. Stourport Forward board members were elected from the Stourport Forward Partnership (which consists of representatives from local groups) in addition to an elected representative of Wyre Forest District Council and the Accountable Body.
The three major projects during the first 3 years of the Stourport Forward programme were:
• The Restoration of Stourport Canal Basins (British Waterways). This project is the cornerstone of the regeneration programme and is designed to transform Stourport Basins into a major heritage tourism destination. A Stourport Forward grant of £256,000 has been awarded towards the overall project cost of £3.2 million, which includes a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £1.7 million and a cocktail of other funders. Following major restoration and enhancement work to the basins area, including buildings and structures, the site was recently relaunched through the Flow Festival as a major tourist attraction, providing another focus for leisure and recreation in Stourport. The aim is to re-engage town and basins, attract additional heritage visitors, improve quality of visits through interpretation and improved access, and educate local people and visitors about history / cultural heritage, leading to a projected increase of around 225,000 new visitors and annual visitor spend of £1.7 million per annum and helping to create or secure jobs. To find out more click here.
• Revitalisation of the Sandy Lane Industrial Estate (British Business Parks) The project included the creation of a new sign and lay by at the entrance to the estate, a new section of footpath and substantial repair and upgrading of two privately owned roads, which will be adopted and thus maintained by Worcestershire County Council. The small grant scheme awarded £50,000 to businesses located on the estate, stimulating a wave of private investment by local businesses through the requirement of at least 40% match funding. A part – time Business Park Co-ordinator liaised with local businesses and public sector bodies to deliver the project and other security and environmental improvements supporting the work of the Sandy Lane Business Association. This included exploring options for future developments and producing a regular newsletter for local businesses. British Business Parks advise that, to date, the project has resulted in the creation of over 50 jobs, safeguarded 90 jobs and directly assisted 36 businesses. The small grants scheme generated £189K of private investment in the estate.
• Stourport Pride Study (Wyre Forest District Council) This partnership project, which received a Stourport Forward grant of £15,000, has been led by Wyre Forest District Council and resulted in the production of the Stourport Pride Report which contains detailed design guidance for the implementation of public realm improvements within key areas of the town. Following a public consultation period the study was formally adopted by Wyre Forest District Council in November 2006. To read the Stourport Pride Study click here.
Two projects led by Wyre Forest District Council, result from the Stourport Pride Report (2006), and are funded through Stourport Forward, Wyre Forest District Council, Worcestershire County Council and Stourport Town Council.
- Bridge Street Enhancement - new “tear drop” lighting, resurfacing carriageway (including gateway feature), new block and other paving surfaces, street furniture (including new finger posts) and mural.
- Enhancement of Stourport Riverside Meadows - installation of new benches, bins, finger posts and “what’s on “ signs (July 2008).
Stourport Forward – “Emerging Development Trust”
Stourport Forward and British Waterways are continuing to work together with Stourport Town Council, Wyre Forest District Council, Worcestershire County Ccouncil and other partners to continue the work of Stourport Forward to strengthen and develop this ground breaking partnership, sustain the initiatives begun through the MTI programme and establish Stourport Forward as an independent organisation.
To further enhance the visitor experience at Stourport Basins, with the support of British Waterways, Stourport Forward has recently been awarded a £587,000 grant from Advantage West Midlands to transform a workshop, derelict stable and storage space into a quality Café/Restaurant, Heritage Information Point and Stourport Forward office, to help to sustain and develop the Basins and town as a major Worcestershire heritage, canal side and riverside visitor destination, whilst providing a substantial source of rental income and rent free accommodation for Stourport Forward, which is an “Emerging Development Trust”. The project will further increase the attraction of this historic site to potential visitors, cater for the additional 225,000 visitors per annum and provide a base from which to develop a programme of events and activities to make the site more attractive and interactive (encouraging repeat visits, increasing the appeal to a broader spectrum and extending the visitor season).
Stourport Forward is working with local groups to develop costume guided walks and other events and activities for the benefit of the town and hinterland. Through a partnership with Stourport Civic Society and the Monday Night Group costumed guided walks will be launched in August. Stourport will take an active part in the Heritage Open Days weekend (September 13th and 14th) which will include canal boat trips, a heritage working boat and a range of heritage sites will be open in and around the town. An Events Group is being established to develop other future events and activities, designed to attract additional visitors to the town, particularly outside the standard peak visitor season.
Stourport Forward continues to work with Wyre Forest District Council and other partners to deliver “Stourport Pride“ projects. Through the Better Welcome programme Stourport Forward and WFDC have applied for £25,000 to install new finger posts, orientation panels and events notice boards around the town, to encourage visitor movement through the town, riverside and basins aiming to increase visitor spend. Stourport Town Council have provided the £5,000 match funding required. Stourport Forward is also a member of the LEADER + Local Action group and in the process of developing a closer working partnership with Bewdley Development Trust.
An award winning programme and projects:-
- West Midlands Market Town Awards 2006: SF and BW: Stourport Forward Project: Joint Winner (with Ludlow): Partnership and Strategic Working Category
- West Midlands Market Town Awards 2007: BW and SF: Canal Basin Restoration Project: Winner: Partnership and Strategic Working Category
- West Midlands Market Town Awards 2008: SF, BW and Other Partners: Taking Stourport Forward Together Project: Winner: Partnership and Strategic Working Category
- BW team won the Best Regeneration Team Award at the Regen West Midlands Awards, 2007.
- 2008 BURA Waterways Renaissance Awards:-
- Outstanding Achievement Award granted to Stourport – on – Severn: Stourport Forward and British Waterways “for the transformation of Stourport – on – Severn”
- Winner: Historic Environment Category: BW Restoration Canal Basin Restoration Project
- Runner Up: Partnership Category: Partnership of BW and Stourport Forward
Other Projects:-
Succession Development project 2007/8: To support/enable the development of the proposals for the creation of a café/restaurant and heritage information point at Stourport Basins, including the submission of a funding application to Advantage West Midlands.
Taking Stourport Forward Together Project 2008: To provide revenue funding to continue the work of Stourport Forward during the final year of the MTI programme and assist with the transition from MTI funding to an income generating Development Trust. The project includes succession/development work, management and delivery of the Café/restaurant project, development of an events and activities project, ongoing development and management of www.stourporttown.co.uk, assistance with the FLOW Festival, delivery of the Better Welcome programme (with WFDC and local businesses), ongoing liaison with partners re: Stourport Pride, LEADER + etc. and development of closer links with Bewdley Development Trust.
Stourport Website Business Directory
Developed by Tim Ellis (SF) to provide affordable and limited free website advertising for Stourport businesses and to generate an income to maintain the web site and work of Stourport Forward
Community Chest Grants 2007/8
- Stourport Carnival Committee (P.A. equipment)
- Friends of Hartlebury Common (Visitor Information Notice Board)
Beyond the these projects Stourport Forward also has awarded a number of smaller grants to projects.
If you would like any further information about the Stourport Forward programme please contact Liz Durnell, Programme Manager by e-mail or telephone 01827 252233.