Harchester Report 2014

Harchester Regeneration
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Commissioned – September 2014
1. Introduction
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
This document is an analysis of the current layout of Harchester and has identified
possible areas for development as well as areas for general upgrading and
improvement.
Following is a description of the identified sites, which the development and
upgrading can focus upon.
The wider issue of Brand Equity will be addressed as appropriate.
The document is based around an initial survey by the team during the months of
August 2014 and September 2014. Included are suggestions and additional
information made from discussions with the Town Council Sub-Committee held
on Monday September 15th 2014, as well as the follow-up meeting with the Town
Centre Manager on Tuesday September 16th 2014.
This document is to stimulate ideas to revitalize the town and is the first stage in
this process. It is the intension that this report will form the foundation for
companies and organisations to formulate and develop possible proposals and
solutions, which can be presented to the council and the community.
Harchester in 1900s
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2. Harchester – Background
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
Harchester is a small country town of approximately 35 thousand people.
It is situated approximately 15 miles south from the major conurbation
of Wickminster, which is currently applying for city status. Wickminster has
approximately 120 thousands inhabitants. This town has had a large number of
major developments over the last 20 years including two retail parks, a large
leisure park including a cinema and a number of major supermarkets relocating to
the town’s outskirts. All these have had a major effect upon Harchester both for
the retail sector and the employment of the town.
Employment in Harchester is based around the farming community, but
this has been in decline for a large number of years. Large proportions of the
town’s inhabitants commute to nearby Wickminster, either by train or car, as well
as further a field.
Unemployment within the town is high. It is difficult to give precise figures
because more and more people are working away, which is now adding to the
heavy commuting taking place. However, industry, rural work and the service
industries are on the decline at about 5% to 15% per year.
The recent by-pass was opened last Easter. This has also had an effect upon
passing trade and the majority of shops reported a decline in sales between 10 to
35%.
At present nearly 50% of the shop units are vacant although the council
has promoted a range of initiatives to encourage new businesses to come into the
town. This has included the appointment of a Town Centre Manager last July with
the specific brief to help bring in trade and new business.
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3. Areas for Re-Development – Background
3.1
The initial analysis has identified five possible sites for
development, these include:
1. Waterhavens, by the canal.
2. Railway Stockyards, northeast of the station.
3. Harchester Cattle Market, by the Harchester Arms.
4. Canal curve between the by-pass and Harchester road.
5. Disused industrial area, west of the market square.
3.2
Additional areas identified for up-grading and improving include:
1. Market Square
2. Bus Station
3. Town signage
4. Shelters
5. Seating
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4. Areas for Re-Development
5. Disused industrial
area, west of the
market square.
2. Railway Stockyards,
northeast of the station.
3. Harchester Cattle
Market, by the
Harchester Arms.
1. Waterhavens, by the
canal
4. Canal curve between
the by-pass and
Harchester road.
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4.1
Waterhavens
This area is downhill from the town centre and is known as Waterhavens by the
local people. This was a major maintenance yard up until the First World War.
Some sections stayed open until 1990 when the final re-fitting Barge Company
closed. These buildings are in poor condition, but are of architectural importance
and they do have some style and uniqueness. A large area was also used for
moving goods and storing cargo and this carried on until 1995 but by then the
cargo tended to be transport by lorry rather than by the canal. So a number of
well-maintained storehouses still exist, both in good order and of good
architectural interest. In the north west of the area is the pumping house, which is
still in use today as it pumps up water from a deep well beneath the hill and this is
used to maintain the canals water level.
One of the special buildings which
included the site office and a special
secure warehouse
General warehouse by the Canal
One of the special barge repair buildings
The pumping house which is still in
use to maintain the canal
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Looking east from the eastern end
of Waterhaven
Looking south across the canal
Looking east at Waterhaven from under
Harchester Bridge
Some of the last buildings to be used at the
eastern end of the complex
Some buildings at the eastern end
Some buildings at the North Eastern
end of Waterhavens
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4.2
Railway Stockyards
This area is west of the station on the north side of the track and was a major
stockyard for the surrounding area until the 1960s. Closed in 1975 it now consists
of mainly derelict buildings, which have no architectural value. The Stockyard
track was used till 1982 to store freight but was removed in 1983. A service road
runs across the middle linking the High Street to the east of the town.
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4.3
Harchester Cattle Market
This area was the central cattle market for the county, however this was closed in
1995 and has lain empty since. It is in an L-shape design and wraps around the
Harchester Arms, which is currently a large public house and minor hotel owned
by the Swan International Hotel Group. The Harchester Arms is a former 17th
century coach house, which has been extended many times over the centuries. At
present the frontage is mainly 19th century with some of the 17th century features
only evident inside. The Harchester Arms is a major focus point in the town’s
market square.
The cattle market building is single storey and is late 19th century. The ceiling
area and roof is of some architectural interest.
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4.4
Canal curve between the by-pass and Harchester road.
This is a small space trapped between the canal, Harchester by-pass and
Harchester road. At present there is no building on this area. Although a green site
it has been freed up due to the poor location.
4.5
Disused industrial area west of the market square.
This area was the old industrial area of the town, situated behind the market
square shops and extends up to where the by-pass now runs. Part of this area has
been made into a car park and most of the land between the car park and the shops
has been levelled. This has been the state since 1994 and has been gradually
getting worse over the years. It makes an unpleasant walk between the car park
and the town.
View over looking site from the back of the shop
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The Town
Harchester Church
Harchester Bridge
Road leading to the Church
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Welby’s Alley
The Pub in the south east
corner of the market square,
north of Welby’s Alley
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General House styles within the town
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5. Areas for Up-Grading – Background
5.1
Railway Station
The local rail company and Railtrack have agreed to fund the renovation of the
town railway station, which is in poor condition and very dated in its appearance.
A range of photos of the station
from the archive
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5.2
Market Square
Permission has been given to pedestrianise the Market Square and money has
been allocated to upgrade the street furniture, seating and improve the town
signage. The Arts Council has put money forward for street art and sculpture to be
developed.
5.3
Bus Station
This is a 1950’s style building. The company is open to suggestions. However, the
site is of some financial value and the company may be persuaded to sell and
relocate.
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N
Car Park
Bus Station
Car Park
Cattle Market
Harchester
Arms
Market
Square
Harchester
Church
Welby’s Alley
Harchester Road A612
Harchester Station
Stock
Yards
Waterhavens
Western Canal
Harchester
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6. Brand Equity Issue
6.1
6.1.1
6.1.2
Feedback from the Town Council on the initial presentation.
One reason that your Design Company has been approached is its reputation to
come up with creative solutions to difficult situations. The company has clearly
expressed its method of looking at customer and their needs as a whole,
developing a complete package, rather than a piece-meal approach.
The council envisages that part of the project is to re-brand the town and change
people’s perception of what Harchester has to offer. They have a clear
understanding that to compete against Wickminster, it must re-position itself
within the market place and offer something different, which is unique and
original. In fact, something which Wickminster does not have.
7. Town Council Sub Committee and Town Centre
Manager Meetings
15th September 2014
7.1
Town Council Meeting
7.1.1
During this meeting a number of points and ideas were brought forward as well as
a number of commitments the council were prepared to undertake, these are
summarised as follows
The local Bus Company is prepared to invest in re-branding the stock to support
the initiative
Extra funding has been allocated to upgrade the bus stops and shelters to support
the Bus Company’s profile.
A grant has been given to replace a number of the town centre buses
The Council has been awarded a grant from the County Council to help subsidise
the bus fares
A major investment company is to help finance some of the larger development
projects
The council is looking to a company to take the lead in developing exciting and
imaginative ideas
The Council has the funds in place as well as agreement from interested parties to
contribute.
These include:
The Local Rail Company – First Capital Direct
Railtrack
British Waterways
Rivers Authority
Harchester Bus and Coach Company
English Heritage
Swan International Hotel Group
Harchester Chamber of Commerce
Arts Council
7.1.2
7.1.3
7.1.4
7.1.5
7.16
7.1.7
7.1.8
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8.1 Confirmed Grants
European Regional Development Fund
Single Regeneration Budget
English Partnerships
Millennium Fund
Heritage Lottery Fund Grant
Sports Lottery Fund Grant
New Opportunities Fund
16th September 2014
9.1
Town Centre Manager Meeting
9.1.2
This discussion involved looking at current practice and the running of the town
Centre and to evaluate any ideas put forward by the manager.
The manager has got finance for a major advertising campaign but was
holding this funding back until the re-development was underway.
He expressed concern about the scheme to pedestrianise the centre area of town,
including the Market Square. He did agree that the High Street and Harchester
Road were frequently jammed up, although the situation had got better since the
by-pass had opened. Part of the reason for the traffic congestion relates to parents
ferrying children across town to the various schools, people parking along the
roads, people being ferried to the railway station in the morning and van and
lorries blocking the High Street when making deliveries to the various shops.
However, on the whole, he was very supportive to any initiative that could help
the town and bring people back.
9.1.3
9.1.4
9.1.5
This document is confidential and may not be used outside the agreed parties. Although
commissioned by Harchester Council, this document is property of PFJ Environmental
Consultants. Permission must be sort from PFJ Environmental Consultants if you wish to use any
aspect of the document outside these agreed parties or in the public domain.
Copyright – 2014 - PFJ Environmental Consultants, Hertfordshire
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