#Flaxmill Place

[embraphotos]

Flaxmill Place, EH6

[victorianchap]

🔸 This picture has been described as the most badass photograph ever taken in New Zealand. The men were Prouse and Saunders Flaxmill workers in a place called Patarau. The photograph was taken in 1906. And it belongs to the Tyree Collection. The New Zealand encyclopedia, Te Ara, described the photograph as “New Zealanders have always liked having a laugh. These jokers are taking a break from work at the Prouse and Saunders flax mill at Whanganui Inlet, north-west Nelson, and posing for a comical group portrait. Isolated work gangs such as this one provided much of the basis for New Zealand’s brand of humour.” #victorianchaps #edwardian #goodolddays #newzealand #oldphoto #vintage #1900s #nostalgia #retro #badass #pastlives #history (at Whanganui) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpufomLDyIB/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[sarassignresearch]

Passion for publication design

I started to write a context paragraph and started to get lost in the technicalities of writing an essay. I thought it would be helpful for me to just write out my thoughts on publication design and why I love the practice and want to carry on in this direction!

I have always found myself drawn to magazines in supermarkets or book stores that have a minimalistic, modern design such as the Together Journal with it’s simple layout and beautiful photography or Frankie with their unique and organic illustrations. When asked during a studio project what part I liked (out of type, photography, copywriting or illustration) I couldn’t decide or have a natural instinct to move to a certain area. Until a last option was added, someone who likes layouts or putting elements all together... I was sold! I have always loved the individual elements of design, especially illustration, photography (editing photos as well), fonts, choosing colour and logo design. But more than that I love bringing elements together to create a cohesive and visually beautiful piece of design. Together Journal has always been an inspiration of mine since picking up the first edition I read. I love how the spreads have a consistent layout and flow to them there is variety in each spread in terms of type and image. Another aspect of publication design is having rules and guidelines to follow. Once they are set in place designing comes much easier as I just follow those rules with slight variation to add interest. A main inspiration for my design and some of my spread design is the beach - the textures, colours and patterns found there are so beautiful. I think this love for the beach that has combined with design has grown from family trips every year over to the Coromandel visiting our fav spots such as New Chums, Flaxmill Bay and Hahei (my absolute fav). What helped me realise my love from publication design was actually my classmates around me as when we would do layout activities or assignments they would tell me I should look into doing publication design - which I really took to heart as what people say to me has a big impact on my decisions ( I hold their opinions highly). 

[shropsnews4u]

Shrewsbury + Arts Café event hosted by Flaxmill Maltings in Shrewsbury – via Zoom on 18 August

Artists, community and voluntary art organisations and anyone interested in the arts are invited to attend an Arts Network event on Tuesday 18 August 2020 online via Zoom from 5pm to 7pm, hosted by Flaxmill Maltings.

Andy McKeown, local light and sound artist, animator and programmer, will be giving a talk about his work and 56-year love affair with ‘noise’. Participants will have the opportunity to learn some of Andy’s techniques, explore differences and possibilities between studio and field recordings, growing and making your own microphones, and having a go at making their own sound recording.

Andy McKeown

Dea Paradisos, local visual artist, will be delivering a workshop called Get Arty With Artefacts.

Participatnts are invited to look at some of the interesting and intriguing artefacts from the Friends of the Maltings collection and make art in response to them.

Participants will be assigned an image of an artefact to work from during a short screen break from the cafe. This could be anything from a 200-year-old bobbin of linen thread, to a large wheeled ‘Boby’ barrow, used to move barley and malt around the site.

Dea will present examples of work and guide participants in responding to the different artefacts.

Flaxmill art

There will also be an opportunity to catch up on the recent building works which have been happening at the Flaxmill, through a virtual guided tour of the site.

Alexa Pugh, Shropshire Council’s arts development officer, said:-

“This is a great opportunity to hear about the programme of activity being planned at the Flaxmill; learn some new skills, produce your own piece of artwork during the session, and chat with other artists and people interested in the arts.”

To book a place at the event, please contact Alexa Pugh, email: alexa.pugh@shropshire.gov.uk

Further information

For further information about arts development from Shropshire Council, please email: alexa.pugh@shropshire.gov.uk.

For further information about the Flaxmill Maltings, please contact Richard Benjamin email: richard@flaxmill-maltings.co.uk

For media contact, please email Adam Spreckley: adam.spreckley@shropshire.gov.uk

Stay updated with the latest news about coronavirus and Shropshire Council services by signing up to our email bulletins

  The post Arts Café event hosted by Flaxmill Maltings in Shrewsbury – via Zoom on 18 August appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

https://ift.tt/2ENdH3n

[shropsnews4u]

Shrewsbury + News from our partners: Flaxmill gets funding boost as restoration enters final phase

News from our partners Historic England

Third and final phase of Main Mill and Kiln restoration at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings begins

Project boosted by £1 million contribution from Shropshire Council

Shropshire Council committed funds in 2010, to be given in the later stage of the project

The current restoration programme will completed by summer 2021.

The restoration of the world’s oldest iron-framed building at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings has now entered the final phase, boosted by £1 million of funding from Shropshire Council.

Construction works to bring the historically significant Grade I listed Main Mill and the Grade II listed Kiln back to life began in 2017 after a £20.7 million grant was awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Site owners, Historic England, and project partners, the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings and Shropshire Council, also committed to contribute significantly towards the project.

The Shrewbsury Flaxmill Maltings project partners outside the Main Mill on site. Left to right: Historic England’s Project lead for the Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings restoration, Alastair Godfrey; Shropshire Council’s assistant director for economic growth, Gemma Davies; Chair of the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings, Alan Mosley; Shropshire Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for assets, economic growth and regeneration Steve Charmley.

The third and final construction phase got underway in January 2020, with contractor Croft Building and Conservation leading the main building works. Croft has a track record of excellence at the Flaxmill Maltings, having led the previous building and conservation projects at the site. Working alongside Croft will be Alun Griffiths Ltd, who will be carrying out infrastructure works around the site from later this year, thanks to additional funding from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership via its Growth Deal with Government.

Over the next 18 months, final repairs will be carried out on the interior and exterior of the Main Mill and Kiln, before services can be installed across the site and other infrastructure works are carried out. Finally, the internal fit out of the buildings will take place early next year, in preparation for opening in summer 2021.

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive at Historic England, said:

“The Flaxmill is one of the most extraordinary historic places in the world. Not only has it played a central role in Shrewsbury for hundreds of years, but its pioneering design preceded the modern day skyscraper and has influenced architecture worldwide. This partnership with Shropshire Council and the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings has been crucial in enabling this project to happen. It is a pleasure to see these unique buildings coming back to life as we enter the final stages of the restoration of the Main Mill.”

Dating back to 1797, the building operated as a flax mill until 1886 and then as a maltings from 1897 to 1987. It was also a temporary barracks and training centre during the Second World War. Its iron frame was truly pioneering, the work of British engineers who were determined to overcome the problem of timber-framed mills and factories being destroyed when fires broke out. The design gave birth to the modern skyscraper.

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for assets, economic growth and regeneration, said:

“We’re delighted with the progress of work to transform the historic Flaxmill site into a centre for learning, leisure and business. Work has now reached the stage where, as we promised back in 2010, we will now contribute £1m to help the project proceed to completion, and we’re happy to do so. The development and regeneration of the site will provide a huge boost, not just to this area of Shrewsbury but to the town as a whole, and to the Shropshire economy, and I look forward to welcoming businesses and visitors to the site in the not too distant future.”

Alan Mosley, Chair of the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings said:

“It is fantastic to see the restoration of these historic buildings reach the final phase of construction. For 30 years the community has become used to seeing the Main Mill and Kiln standing empty and in poor condition or shrouded in scaffolding, but have been thrilled to see the progress in the last few years. It will be wonderful for local people to see these iconic buildings revealed and being fully restored over the next 18 months, as we move towards their long-awaited opening in summer next year.”

 Creating a centre of innovation

The restoration of the Grade I listed Main Mill and the adjacent Grade II Kiln is creating a new learning and enterprise quarter for Shrewsbury. The work is expected to be completed in summer 2021.

The buildings are being transformed into high quality offices for the region’s growing creative industries and small business start-ups, to help drive the town’s renaissance as a regional economic hub. A new visitor centre and a café open to the public are also features of the new design, allowing the community and visitors to come and enjoy Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings and to learn more about its unique place in history.

Find out more

To find out more about Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings visit www.HistoricEngland.org.uk/SFM

  The post News from our partners: Flaxmill gets funding boost as restoration enters final phase appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

https://ift.tt/2SpXNAy

[shropsnews4u]

Shrewsbury + News from our partners: Shrewsbury’s Flaxmill hosts young people’s film night

News from our partners Arts Alive

A one off film night, specifically for young adults, will be held in Shrewsbury’s Flaxmill Maltings.

The Flaxmill Maltings

Thanks to a partnership between the British Film Institute (BFI) and rural cinema scheme Flicks in the Sticks, a special film screening of cult classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory will take place in the iconic Shrewsbury building that continues to undergo extensive renovation.

Happening on Tuesday 26 November 2019, the screening is a fantastic opportunity for locals aged 16-30 to come together and enjoy film as a social event, with food, drink and pre-film board games.

Arts Alive – Flicks in the Sticks

The event is part of a scheme to engage young people with film by delivering high-quality screened events to new groups of people, in new and unexpected locations.

The renovation of the Flaxmill has been driven by the desire to bring the building back to life at the heart of the community. Flicks in the Sticks are delighted to be part of this vision, delivering a professional film event in a building of local historical importance.

Event organiser, Arts Alive’s Cultural Co-ordinator Jo Davies, said:-

“I am excited to be involved in this project funded by the BFI. It’s great to be organising a film screening for young people, like myself, in my hometown of Shrewsbury. So come along and indulge your inner child, there’ll be board games and sweet treats from 6pm!”

Book tickets for this one off film night at: Flaxmill Maltings, Shrewsbury SY1 2SY | Tuesday 26 November | 7.30pm Tickets: £6; 07972 839625

Tickets also available at www.artsalive.co.uk

Flicks in the Sticks received funding from Shropshire Council’s arts development fund.

  The post News from our partners: Shrewsbury’s Flaxmill hosts young people’s film night appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

https://ift.tt/3421mjG

[shropsnews4u]

Shrewsbury + Putting Shrewsbury on the map: Sir John Peace visits the town

Sir John Peace, Chair of the Midlands Engine, Maria Machancoses, Director, Midlands Connect and Valerie Hastie, Senior Policy Officer, Midlands Connect, visited Shrewsbury last month (5 September 2019) to discuss the economic growth potential of the town, its wider sector offer and infrastructure requirements.

Midlands Engine and Midlands Connect visit Shrewsbury

They joined a delegation of Shropshire partners who are working together to improve Shrewsbury as a place in which to live, work and invest. The delegation included representatives from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), University Centre Shrewsbury (UCS), Shrewsbury Business Improvement District (BID), the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and councillors and officers from Shropshire Council.

The day included discussions about all of the projects which will help the town to grow and prosper – principally the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan, the creation of UCS and its sector-based focus on research and teaching, major road projects including the Shrewsbury North West Relief Road and the Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings. All of these share the same aim of creating a ‘destination’ and building on the town’s strong heritage and visitor offer.

A short tour of the town was also taken, allowing the group to review challenges highlighted in the council’s unsuccessful Future High Street Fund bid and opportunities around the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan, including Shrewsbury Railway Station, the town’s historic assets and high-quality retail and leisure offer.

Midlands Engine and Midlands Connect visit Shrewsbury

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for assets, economic growth and regeneration, said:

“We were extremely pleased to welcome Sir John, Maria and Valerie to Shrewsbury and tell them all about our ambitious plans for growth. And, I’m delighted to say that they were very well received.

“Shropshire, and Shrewsbury as its county town, is a vital part of the Midlands Engine and Midlands Connect and what they are trying to achieve. We have lots of exciting plans for the town’s growth, all of which will all feed into the Midlands industrial strategy.

“We wanted to use this opportunity to put our town on the map. Whilst it continues to buck national trends, its vital that it’s not overlooked when it comes to investment in the future.”

        The post Putting Shrewsbury on the map: Sir John Peace visits the town appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

https://ift.tt/2MlYrfc

[shropsnews4u]

Shrewsbury + Plans for revitalising Shrewsbury to be developed in next stage of Big Town Plan

A series of masterplans for revitalising six key areas of Shrewsbury are set to be developed as part of the town’s Big Town Plan, after specialists were today invited to bid for the work.

A tender has been published by the partners behind the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan – Shrewsbury BID, Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Town Council.

The six areas sit within and adjacent to the town centre (see notes) and are those that the Big Town Plan identifies as providing the biggest opportunities to grow and revitalise the town.

The six areas for which masterplans are set to be developed.

The aim is for the six masterplans to identify ways to change the way land is used in these areas, taking into account the contribution these areas have to the delivery of wider growth and connectivity opportunities in the town.

The plans will be supported by a ‘movement and access strategy’ that will consider how residents, visitors and businesses travel into, and around, the town centre – alongside a delivery and implementation plan.

Applications for the contract – which is valued at up to £89,000 – can be submitted up to 30 August 2019, with the contract set to run from September 2019 to March 2020.

The invitation to tender for the work can be seen here.

Peter Nutting, Leader of Shropshire Council and member of the Big Town Plan board, said:

“We’re looking for a specialist team that can produce a series of concept masterplans for these six key areas of Shrewsbury. This exciting and important work will enable the Big Town Plan Partnership, landowners and investors to make investment decisions that will bring forward work to develop, grow and revitalise the Big Town Plan area, and also guide developers on suitable land uses.”

The tender launch has coincided with the appointment of a chair of the Big Town Plan partnership board, who will work on a voluntary basis to help drive the process forward.

David Parry, managing director of Wellmeadow Consulting, based in the centre of Shrewsbury, took up the role as chair on Monday 22 July [2019].

He said:

“A tremendous amount of work has already been done to bring the Big Town Plan to the stage it is at today. It has some very passionate partners in the shape of Shropshire Council, Shrewsbury Town Council and Shrewsbury BID.

“As the project moves in to the next phase, I am honoured to have been asked to work with this board to help them achieve the goal of making the plan a reality. Shrewsbury is already a great place to visit, live and work, and the Big Town Plan offers an inspiring view of how it can get even better.”

Helen Ball, clerk of Shrewsbury Town Council, said:

“Shrewsbury Town Council has always wished to see that the Big Town Plan is not just a document that sits on a shelf. This next stage of the process will see the Plan materialise into a series of actions that will be for the benefit of all who live, work and visit Shrewsbury. The Town Council looks forward to being actively involved in this process.”

For more information about the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan, go to www.shrewsburybigtownplan.org.

Further information

(1) About the Big Town Plan The Shrewsbury Big Town Plan (SBTP) is a collective vision and plan for the town that has been co-created by Shrewsbury BID, Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Town Council following extensive engagement with the public and stakeholders. The visioning work undertaken through the SBTP sets out a collective ambition and highlights the need to maintain and enhance the vitality of the town centre.

The Plan has been finalised and agreed by its three key partners – and Shropshire Council has now recognised the Big Town Plan as evidence in support of the Local Plan Review, and the principle of the Plan as a material consideration in the regulatory planning process has been established.

(2) The six areas where a masterplan is required are: 1) Proposed Central Business District (surrounding the train station leading up to Castle Gates, and across to the Riverside). 2) Northern Corridor (leading to Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings from the Central Business District). 3) The historic quarter of the town including Wyle Cop, St Mary’s Street, Pride Hill, High Street and The Square. 4) West End, incorporating Mardol, Barker Street, Bellstone, Lower Claremont Bank, Bridge Street, St Austin’s Street, and Victoria Avenue and Quay. 5) The Riverside and Frankwell Quay areas, incorporating both sides of the River Severn as it passes Frankwell and Smithfield Road. 6) English Bridge, Abbey Foregate and Old Pott’s Way.

(3) The Shrewsbury North West Relief Road A key development since the Big Town Plan has been established will be the delivery of the North West Relief Road and the movement and access strategy must incorporate the role this key infrastructure investment will make to the town, particularly the town centre.

The post Plans for revitalising Shrewsbury to be developed in next stage of Big Town Plan appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

https://ift.tt/2MbSPEM

[shropsnews4u]

Shrewsbury + News from our partners: Historic England crowdfunding appeal for Jubilee Coronet at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings

News from our partners Historic England

Historic England has launched a new crowdfunding appeal to raise funds towards the restoration of the Jubilee Coronet at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, and they need your help.

Jubilee Coronet at the Flaxmill – copyright: Historic England.

As the world’s first iron-framed building in the world, the Main Mill is an extraordinary example of the nation’s industrial heritage, embodying significant changes in factory design and structural engineering. The Main Mill was the first fireproof, multi-storey structure of its kind and is known as the grandparent of the modern day skyscraper.

Jubilee Coronet at the Flaxmill – copyright: Historic England.

Following its conversion from a flax mill to a maltings in 1897, a new timber hoist tower was added at its north end. The maltings owners crowned the tower with a magnificent cast iron coronet to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and the structure latterly became known as the jubilee coronet.  However, 122 years later, the coronet is in urgent need of repair.

Now, as part of the restoration of the Main Mill, Historic England plan to return the jubilee crown to its former glory. It will be removed to a specialist conservation workshop where it will be carefully surveyed and repaired, before being reassembled and reinstalled, taking pride of place in the Shrewsbury skyline.

They need to raise £26,000 to cover the cost of the coronet restoration and success will depend on how many people they can reach. If you would like to show your support either by pledging or sharing the appeal with your friends and family, please follow the link for more information:  www.crowdfunder.co.uk/crowningshrewsbury

The post News from our partners: Historic England crowdfunding appeal for Jubilee Coronet at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

http://bit.ly/2Qlqzzp

[shropsnews4u]

Shrewsbury + Why Shrewsbury is king of the Monopoly castle

Shrewsbury has won a UK ‘beauty contest’ – seeing off 24 other places across the nation to land its very own official version of Monopoly, it has been announced today (Thursday 2 May 2019).

Monopoly – the Shrewsbury Edition.

The medieval market town, which boasts more listed buildings (600+) than almost anywhere in the UK, has seen off 24 rivals nationally – including Telford, Ludlow, Hereford and Chester regionally –  in a UK ‘beauty contest’ to land its very own Monopoly Edition.

It will be the first time any place in Shropshire has ‘Passed GO’.

The official announcement that the Monopoly dice are to roll on Shrewsbury took place at the imposing Shrewsbury Castle at 10.30am this morning as Mr Monopoly (in costume) declared the announcement from atop the castle, which overlooks the ancient town.

“We want to shout this one from the rooftops,” says Jake Houghton, from the game’s makers Winning Moves UK.

Pictured from left to right: Alan Mosley, Shrewsbury Town Council’s Leader; Mr Monopoly; Jake Houghton from the game’s makers Winning Moves UK and Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and leisure.

Following the announcement, people have now been invited to vote for town landmarks like Shrewsbury Abbey, Shrewsbury Castle, Quarry Park, The Charles Darwin Statue and the Old Market Hall to feature in the game, which will be themed in sets.

Property sets are expected to span the worlds of heritage, tourism, shopping, festivals, entertainment, education, business, charity, travel – and lots more.

And the board almost uniquely could feature two jails on different Monopoly spaces: The traditional MONOPOLY jail and the Dana Gaol – a tourist hotspot these days.

Games bosses could also be fielding calls for a coffee house on every corner of the board – on the basis there seems to be coffee rooms on every Shrewsbury town centre street corner in real life!

Jake Houghton, Custom Games Executive at Winning Moves UK – who are producing this board under official license from MONOPOLY owners Hasbro Inc. – says:

“Shrewsbury’s extremely high current cachet and visitor magnet status has made it absolutely irresistible for us to produce this board.

“Shrewsbury is a leading UK tourist venue – generations after it was the centre of the Midlands in medieval times. It’s enjoying the most wonderful renaissance. Its hundreds of listed buildings makes it a perfect fit for Monopoly – as everyone knows, which is based on houses and hotels on iconic properties.. We are absolutely sure we will be wonderfully spoilt for choice putting this game together.”

The board will hits the shops this October in time for Christmas.

Today Shrewsbury civic and tourist leaders praised news of the new game.

Councillor Peter Nutting, Shropshire Council’s leader, says:

“We’re so pleased that Shrewsbury will now have its very own iconic board. As well as being the birthplace of the father of evolution, Charles Darwin, the town is blessed with an abundance of great landmarks such as the Castle, Market Hall and Quarry Park – the game makers will be spoilt for choice!

“Shrewsbury is a town which is steeped in history, well-loved by locals and well-known to visitors – and we have ambitious plans for its future.”

Alan Mosley, Shrewsbury Town Council’s Leader, says:

“With iconic places like the Flaxmill, the Quarry, the Castle, the Railway Station and Lord Hill Column, it is hardly surprising that Shrewsbury has been chosen as the next Monopoly location.

“This is extremely exciting for the town and its promotion as a place to live work and visit and it has sorted out what my family will be receiving for Christmas.”

Seb Slater, Executive Director of Shrewsbury BID, says:

“This is excellent news for Shrewsbury!

“We would urge everyone to vote for their favourite landmark, hotel, coffee shop, attraction or even gaol!

“We know we have beaten off stiff competition from many other towns and from cities regionally and nationally and we’re looking forward to attracting more visitors to the town following the Shrewsbury Monopoly launch this October.

“I’m sure it will be on many Christmas wish lists this year!”

The new board will be available at all major retailers, as well as very widely online including Amazon.

Shrewsbury saw off 24 other UK cities and towns in a search by games bosses to find Britain’s most beautiful town. There is a famous Community Chance card in the original Monopoly version which says: ‘You have won Second Prize in a Beauty Contest.”  Well Shrewsbury has now very much won FIRST prize! Nationally Leamington Spa, Chester and several towns in the Lake District were eclipsed by Shrewsbury charms. Regionally Ludlow was pipped by Shrewsbury to the MONOPOLY post.  “Ludlow came 2nd, “ adds Mr Houghton.

How to vote for your favourite landmark to feature in the game

Votes for Shrewsbury landmarks and cards to feature in the game via three ways:

By email to: shrewsbury@6starpr.co.uk

To the official Shrewsbury Monopoly Facebook page.

Good old fashioned post, to: Shrewsbury Monopoly, Winning Moves UK, 7 Praed Street, London W2 1NJ

Polling started at 10.30am today (2 May 2019) and closes exactly one month later on 1 June 2019.

About Hasbro Inc.

Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global play and entertainment company committed to Creating the World’s Best Play Experiences. From toys and games to television, movies, digital gaming and consumer products, Hasbro offers a variety of ways for audiences to experience its iconic brands, including Nerf, My Little Pony, Transformers, Play-Doh, Monopoly, Baby Alive and Magic: The Gathering, as well as premier partner brands. Through its entertainment labels, Allspark Pictures and Allspark Animation, the Company is building its brands globally through great storytelling and content on all screens. Hasbro is committed to making the world a better place for children and their families through corporate social responsibility and philanthropy. Hasbro ranked No. 5 on the 2018 100 Best Corporate Citizens list by CR Magazine, and has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere Institute for the past seven years. Learn more at www.hasbro.com, and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro) and Instagram (@Hasbro).

The post Why Shrewsbury is king of the Monopoly castle appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

http://bit.ly/2vH4YIt

[shropsnews4u]

Shrewsbury + Midlands UK unveils highlights of its MIPIM event programme

Delegation involved in more than 40 events during the four-day event

Midlands UK speakers to address thousands of potential investors

The Ironbridge Power Station site and Newport’s new agri-tech focused business park are among £11 billion of investment opportunities from the Midlands being featured at the world’s leading real estate show in 2019.

Sites ready for development in both the Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council areas are being promoted as part of the Midlands UK delegation at MIPIM, which takes places in Cannes in March 2019.

MIPIM 2018 in Cannes

Sir John Peace, Chair of the Midlands Engine, will be joined by a range of senior keynote speakers who will be addressing the global investment community during 40 events over the four days of the show.

Sir John Peace said:-

“MIPIM provides a platform from which we can showcase the many strengths of the Midlands to a wide audience. Our economy, which has remained strong and resilient, presents a compelling offer to potential investors.”

Graham Wynn OBE, Chairman of the Marches LEP, said:

“We have fantastic investment opportunities in our region, one of the most attractive locations in the UK to live and work.

“Global players including BAE Systems, Caterpillar, and Heineken have already chosen to base their operations here, where we offer a first-class business landscape and an outstanding quality of life. 

“MIPIM gives us the chance to showcase what Shropshire, Herefordshire and Telford has to offer investors looking to locate in one of the fastest growing areas of the Midlands.”

Shropshire will hold two events during MIPIM. Shrewsbury: The Big Connection will tell investors the story of how the birthplace of Charles Darwin is evolving, where new buildings rub shoulders with re-used older buildings including the Flaxmill Maltings – the grandfather of all skyscrapers.

Shropshire: Rooted in Heritage, Developing for the Future will highlight the county’s countryside, vibrant market towns and strategic central base within the UK, unlocking key development opportunities through infrastructure investment including the Ironbridge Power Station site.

Telford & Wrekin Council’s event will focus on its partnership with Harper Adams University to create a cluster of excellence in agri-tech innovation at the heart of which will be a new 25 acre science and innovation park. Ni.Park is being promoted globally by the UK’s Department for International Trade as world-leading in the development of new agri-technology solutions.

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s deputy Leader, and Cabinet member for economic growth, corporate and commercial support, said:

“Last year was our first year at MIPIM and we’re excited to be returning. We were bowled over by the interest we received in our county as a place in which to invest.

“MIPIM gives us access to developers, agents, investors and intermediaries from across the UK and overseas, all in one place. The bonus is that they’re there to do business.”

The Midlands UK Pavilion welcomed more than 4,700 delegates at MIPIM 2018, who attended a series of presentations, debates and receptions.

Further information

A list of the private and public sector partners taking part in the Midlands UK delegation to MIPIM 2019 can be found here: https://midlandsukmipim.com/about/

Media contacts for Midlands UK

Tammy Palmer, Communications Consultant, West Midlands Growth Company: palmer@wmgrowth.com / 07792 460 695

Matt Jewsbury, Communications Assistant, West Midlands Growth Company: jewsbury@wmgrowth.com / 07876 753 365 

Media contacts for Marches LEP and partner delegations 

Amy Bould, Be Bold Media, amy@beboldpr.com, 01952 898121

Jon Simcock, Be Bold Media, jon@beboldpr.com 01952 898121 

Midlands Engine

The Government is committed to making the Midlands an Engine for Growth in the UK, increasing economic growth and improving the quality of life for everyone. The Midlands is home to over 10 million people and over 800,000 businesses. Its economy is worth £220 billion.

So far the Government has awarded £1.9 billion in three rounds of Growth Deals across the Midlands.

8 Enterprise Zones have been established in the Midlands Engine since 2012, and 3 zones have been extended. By March 2016 these had attracted almost £1 billion of private investment, and created 85 new businesses and 7,291 jobs. 

The West Midlands Growth Company

The West Midlands Growth Company helps the region make its mark nationally and internationally. Its primary purpose is to attract investment, jobs, visitors and businesses to the West Midlands.

It is committed to promoting the area as a leading place to invest, do business and visit, working in partnership with Local Enterprise Partnerships, councils, Growth Hubs, universities, Chambers of Commerce and hundreds of local businesses.

The West Midlands Growth Company plays an important role in supporting the delivery of the West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) Strategic Economic Plan. Its focus is on the WMCA geography of Greater Birmingham and Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire, and the Black Country.

Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

The Marches LEP is driving accelerated economic growth through investment in innovation, higher level skills, housing and business sites across the region.

The Marches region, which includes Shropshire, Herefordshire, and Telford & Wrekin, is a dynamic business region where entrepreneurs flourish alongside global players. Covering 2,300 sq miles and with a growing population of 684,300, it is home to 30,775 businesses and a £14.3 billion economy.

Bordered by the West Midlands to the east and Wales to the west, the Marches’ key centres of population and employment are the city of Hereford and thriving towns of Shrewsbury and Telford. A network of 25 smaller market towns and a large rural area make up the rest of the settlement mix – with the Marches recognised as being one of the most enterprising regions in the UK

High profile businesses which have chosen to base operations here include BAE Defence Systems; GKN; Westons Cider; Grainger & Worrall; Stadco; Caterpillar; Mϋller Dairy UK, Doncasters Aerospace, Denso, Capgemini, Ricoh, Cargill, Heineken, Grocontinental, McConnels, Kerry Ingredients, Special Metals, Kingspan and Makita

The Marches is also home to centres of excellence and institutions which promote and foster the transfer of knowledge including Harper Adams University and its National Centre for Precision Farming, University Centre Shrewsbury, the University of Wolverhampton campus and e-innovation centre at Priorslee, and Food Enterprise Centre in Shrewsbury

The designated Enterprise Zone of the Marches LEP is in Hereford, at Skylon Park. It is the only Enterprise Zone in England with a unique defence and security sector focus, drawing on the city’s heritage as the home of the SAS

The LEP area is home to some iconic places of interest. The Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, the Shropshire Hills and the Wye Valley Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Offa’s Dyke, the rivers Severn and Wye, and places of national renown including Ludlow and Ross-on-Wye make it a highly popular place to both visit and relocate to

The Marches has a diverse business base and is recognised for its sector strength in advanced manufacturing and engineering; agri-food and drink; automotive and defence & security

Business support in the Marches is offered via the Marches Growth Hub, a business-friendly website at marchesgrowthhub.co.uk and helpline on 0345 6000 727, developed by the LEP

You can learn more about the Marches LEP at marcheslep.org.uk and contact the LEP by emailing enquiries@marcheslep.org.uk.

The post Midlands UK unveils highlights of its MIPIM event programme appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

http://bit.ly/2GCIrD1

[shropsnews4u]

Shrewsbury + University Centre Shrewsbury students step forward to support Flaxmill restoration work

News from our partners University Centre Shrewsbury

Students from University Centre Shrewsbury (UCS) are playing a part in the regeneration of one of the town’s most iconic and the world’s most important historic buildings.

History undergraduates and postgraduates are volunteering their time to support the National Lottery-funded restoration of the Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings – known as ‘the grandparent of all skyscrapers’.

Second year Caitlin Osborne, third years Bethany Maddock and James Hingley, and postgraduate Zach Ploszay are carrying out research which will help to ensure that the public’s thoughts and ideas are at the forefront of its multi-million pound redevelopment.

University Centre Shrewsbury students Caitlin Osborne (on left) and Bethany Maddock at the Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings.

Derelict for decades, the Maltings’ Office and Stables, converted in recent years with funding received from the European Regional Development Fund, are now an interactive visitor and education centre, run by the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings. A partnership led by site owners Historic England is now restoring the 1797 Grade I listed Main Mill and Grade II listed 1898 Kiln thanks to £20.7 million from the National Lottery. The refurbishment will include the creation of a new interpretation and learning space and café on the ground floor of the Main Mill; space for commercial use on the upper floors; and improved accessibility across the site.

The Flaxmill Maltings are currently open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The UCS students talked to visitors on Saturday (9 June 2018), and will be again on Saturday 23 June 2018. They are gaining people’s views on what they would like to see in the new interpretation and learning spaces, including their feedback on the current displays, and which aspects of the stories and themes they find most appealing.

Tom Williams, History and Archaeology Lecturer at UCS, said:

“We are thrilled to be able to contribute in a small way to the work to save and restore this remarkable piece of the industrial revolution.

“Hands-on experience such as this is an integral part of courses at UCS. It is important that we go outside our learning and research centre and contribute to local projects. Our history and heritage degrees blend theory and practice, with opportunities to participate in research projects with real life outputs, in this case helping to ensure that the Flaxmill is a place that everyone can be proud to live, work and play in.”

Student Caitlin Osborne said:

“It’s great to talk to visitors to gain their views on the Flaxmill. The redevelopment work is bringing such an important building back to life – and by getting involved in such research we can bring our studies to life.”

Alan Mosley, Chair of the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings, said:

“Our centre has proved popular with local people and visitors to the area alike since its opening in late 2015.

“We are now working closely with the expert consultants at Headland Design Associates and making great progress in planning a wonderful exhibition/interpretation centre, which we will manage, and café on the ground floors of the Main Mill and Kiln.

“The survey work by UCS students will be invaluable in ensuring that the finished product reflects both what the public want and the international importance of the first iron framed building in the world.”

Alastair Godfrey, Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings Project Lead, Historic England said:

“It’s fantastic that University Centre Shrewsbury and its students are supporting the project to restore the Flaxmill.

“Firstly, working with local organisations is crucial to the success of this project and this is a great example of how these local partnerships are helping to shape the future of this world-class building. It is also giving young people skills and experience through our Heritage Skills programme, funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, which we hope will support the students’ studies and employment prospects. We look forward to seeing the results of this valuable work and we thank the students and UCS for their involvement.”

For further information on UCS, go to: www.ucshrewsbury.ac.uk, www.facebook.com/ucshrewsbury, www.twitter.com/ucshrewsbury, call 01743 297185 or email enquiries@ucshrewsbury.ac.uk.

More details on Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings are available at: www.historicengland.org.uk/flaxmill.

Further information about Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings

The Stage 2 project at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, which has received National Lottery funding of £20.7million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), will restore the Grade I listed Main Mill – the first cast-iron framed building in the world and forerunner to the modern skyscraper, and the Grade II listed Kiln along with landscaping and a new car park. When complete there will be visitor interpretation and activity on the ground floor which will be managed by the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings, as well as a café. The upper four floors of the Mill will provide commercial office space. A programme of activities will be available during construction with training opportunities and chances for the local community to get involved.

Work began on 19 June 2017, carried out by Croft Building and Conservation Ltd, who are responsible for structural repairs to the Main Mill and reintroducing windows that were closed during the Maltings phase. This will flood the building with natural light. The works should be complete by the end of 2018 when work will start to repair the Kiln, fit out the buildings and complete all associated landscaping work and the car park. The works will be completed in 2021, when the restored spaces will be open to the public.

The Flax Mill was built in 1797 and was the largest employer in Shrewsbury. The flax business declined in the 1870s and the Mill closed in 1886. The site was converted into a Maltings in 1897-8, when the Kiln was added. After being used as a temporary barracks during the Second World War, the site resumed as a Maltings until its closure in 1987. These works will transform and open the site back up for local people, visitors and local businesses.

About Historic England

Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England’s historic places. The organisation looks after the historic environment, provides expert advice about it, helping people protect and care for it, and helping the public understand and enjoy it.

Historic England, which took over the site in 2005, and its partners Shropshire Council and the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings are building on the success of the Stage 1 project, which created a visitor centre (opened late 2015) within the Office and Stables, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, and have secured funding to cover the Stage 2 project which is due to open to the public in 2021.

About the Heritage Lottery Fund

Thanks to National Lottery players, the Fund invests money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about – from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. For further information go to www.hlf.org.uk, www.twitter.com/heritagelottery, www.facebook.com/heritagelotteryfund or www.instagram.com/heritahgelotteryfund and use #HLFsupported and #NationalLottery.

About the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation was set up by Andrew in 1992 to promote the arts, culture and heritage for the public benefit; since inception Andrew has been the principal provider of funding for all its charitable activities. In 2010, the Foundation embarked on an active grant giving programme and has now awarded grants of more than £18m to support high quality training and personal development as well as other projects that make a real difference to enrich the quality of life both for individuals and within local communities. Significant grants include £3.5m to Arts Educational Schools, London, to create a state-of-the-art professional theatre, £2.4m to The Music in Secondary Schools Trust, £1m to The Architectural Heritage Fund, $1.3m to the American Theatre Wing and more than £300,000 annually to fund 30 performing arts scholarships for talented students in financial need.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation has awarded a grant of £95,447 towards Historic England’s Heritage Skills Programme. For more details contact Truda Spruyt, Four Colman Getty, at truda.spruyt@fourcolmangetty.com or on 020 3697 4248. 

About the European Regional Development Fund

The Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings project is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.gov.uk/browse/business/funding-debt/european-regional-development-fu….

The post University Centre Shrewsbury students step forward to support Flaxmill restoration work appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

https://ift.tt/2JKxGR1

[shropsnews4u]

Shrewsbury + Local ambition and an international vision – it’s full steam ahead for Shropshire’s economic growth plans

Supporting businesses, providing the necessary infrastructure and attracting inward investment, provide a key focus of Shropshire Council’s economic growth strategy. And, just six months since its launch, great strides have been made towards realising its ambitious vision for Shropshire.

One of the many successes has been Marches Growth Hub Shropshire, designed to provide advice, support and signposting for local businesses and start-ups.  Since opening in 2016, Marches Growth Hub Shropshire has dealt with over 700 enquiries from local businesses, contributing towards the creation of over 30 new jobs in the area.

Local artisan confectionary company Champion & Reeves is one of many companies that has benefitted. With no less an ambition than to produce the finest 100% natural confectionery money can buy, the company, set up in 2015, has seen rapid growth with a customer base that includes high end retailers like Harrods and the Houses of Parliament shops.

Champion & Reeves

Jacqueline Champion, Champion & Reeves’ managing director, said:

“As a business we have received excellent support through Marches Growth Hub Shropshire. The staff were always willing to talk through our needs and aspirations. By understanding fully what we were looking to achieve, they could suggest potential support to help us to realise our ambitions.

“It has been great to have the hub as the ‘go-to’ place, not only for signposting, but for practical help too. We were also fortunate enough to access free social media training through them. The hub has certainly helped with our growth and development plans.”

Alerting businesses to funding and helping to complete applications is another key service offered by Marches Growth Hub Shropshire, and Shropshire is amongst one of the most successful areas in supporting its businesses through the process.

The Business Growth programme, made available through the European Regional Development Fund, is designed to strengthen supply chains, stimulate innovation and grow existing small to medium sized enterprises across the Midlands.  To date, over 25 Shropshire businesses have been supported, with 71 jobs created, stimulating approximately £1m of investment in the county.

Nic Laurens, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for economic growth, said;-

“With dedicated officers assigned to locating these opportunities we have been particularly successful, with over £37m of funding accessed for business support and innovation, environmental projects and social inclusion in Shropshire over the last few years.”

As well as finding funding opportunities for its businesses, the team is constantly on the lookout for additional financial resources to support a range of infrastructure projects.

To date, over £11.2m worth of investment has been made in delivering digital connectivity across Shropshire through the council’s Connecting Shropshire project.

In addition, the council has been successful in securing financial support for a number of key strategic transport schemes in the county including the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package (SITP) with investment of around £12m, the Oxon Link Road – around £13m – and, most recently, Oswestry, with £9.3m of Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) from the Government. The HIF will help to unlock the potential of the Oswestry Urban extension, innovation park and support infrastructure improvements to kick-start development opportunities in this key growth location.

Selling the benefits of moving a business or setting up a new business in Shropshire remains a major priority. Soon the many benefits that the county can offer will be touted at international level.

This year, alongside its Marches partners, Shropshire will exhibit at MIPIM, the world’s leading property market, which features over 24,000 participants from over 100 countries.  Here many investment opportunities will showcased, including the Flaxmill Maltings development, Clive Barracks, Ironbridge Power Station and Oswestry Innovation Park.

Nic Laurens added:

“It has been a bold decision to take part but it’s a highly competitive marketplace. We need to start presenting these very exciting and potentially lucrative projects to potential investors, alongside our regional partners, on the world stage.”

The post Local ambition and an international vision – it’s full steam ahead for Shropshire’s economic growth plans appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

http://ift.tt/2He8Ns7