£100,000 Wolverhampton high street project under microscope
A government-funded project to boost a struggling city centre came under the microscope as two senior civil servants embarked on a fact finding tour.
Mark Livesey, deputy director for High Street and Town Centres and Emma Dickman, head of policy for the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) stopped off in Wolverhampton to check on the success of the Portas Pilot Projects.
Last year, the city received £100,000 from the DCLG to undertake a range of innovative initiatives to bring empty shops and streets back to life.
The move was sparked by an independent review of the nation's high streets which was undertaken by the government's retail guru Mary Portas in 2011.
During their trip, the civil servants visited Wolverhampton Art Gallery, a number of independent traders, the Mander Centre and three of the flagship Portas Projects.
They were Polish deli Kabanos in Cleveland Street, Hungry Bistro on Lichfield Street and Shop in the Square in Queen's Square, which was celebrating its first anniversary in business.
Mr Livesey said: "Whilst in Wolverhampton I had the pleasure of seeing great initiatives such as the Shop in the Square, the Privilege loyalty card, and start up businesses, all supported through money awarded to the city through the Portas Pilot scheme and the High Street Innovation fund.
"These fantastic projects, and the committed individuals behind them, serve as an inspiring example of the successes that can be achieved when the community, local businesses and the local authority work together."
Kim Gilmour, operations director at WV One, who spearheaded the funding bid, said: "It's great to welcome someone with a keen interest in city centres to Wolverhampton and to talk about the issues, opportunities and successes.
"The visit went very well and we will be supplying case studies and profiles of our projects to inspire others."
