‘Take me to.. Our Funky Town…not Ghost town’

Batley Urban-Village Arts; Regenerating and re-mending our streets & commerce

Biased and abridged

October 2014/15

C O N T E N T S

Historical overview 02

Recent past…

And future need

Batley Town-centre today

Beginning a Strategy for Success.. 06

Local Government

...and the Sustainable Communities Act

...and Latent skills

Interventions and opportunities 08

Steered directive

...and local voice/participation

Creative Partnerships 09

...and creative solutions

A multi-layered approach

Layers of involvement...

Shops on the High Street 11

Commercial Street revisited...

..and additions 12

Timetable of Operations

Budgeting and costs

Summary 13

Report prepared by Mahmud Manning MA Urban Design

Overview and historical precedent

Batley, mentioned in the Doomsday Book, was gradually part of the great textile industries of the region

and was noted for the invention of ‘ shoddy’ a new material made from disused woollen rags. Batley

has traditionally been a local regional centre with outlying parish villages, ( Gildersome, Morley, Churwell

and Osset.. ) and has been enhanced by the establishment of its Town Hall and the Carnegie Library

which was built in 1853 and 1907 respectively.

The quality of its traditional architecture remains; the light sand-stone being common within the region,

the neo classical architectural style provides an arena of elegance and stability which enhances the town

and its neighbouring country-side.

With the closing of textile mills due to economic pressures and a part demolition of Commercial Street, the

town has suffered with empty shops, unaffordable rents and a commercial and financial hole filled by the

newly established supermarket giant ‘ Tesco ’ .

Recent Past.... ( Lest we Forget.. )

Commercial Street, which this report focuses on, necessitates an appreciation of the other prevailing

and dominant architectural style now in existence which is the low ‘ Mansard ’ Roofed commercial/

retail shops which have replaced a demolished and previously unified street. This must have been com-

pleted during the 1970’ s and marks one of the low points within urban design and architectural devel-

opment.

With the hostile take-over of Hilliards in 1987, the supermarket giant Tesco acquires a large retail space,

car parking and Petrol outlet; the demolition of the Hilliard shop fronting commercial street and its new

warehouse build is completed by 2004 with the footbridge concession added soon after.

The small retail units ( B atley Retail Arcade) was also acquired by Tesco, these units ( Named as Al-

fred ’ s Way ) finally closed in 2013 and now just mark a route to Tesco ’ s store and petrol station. It is

worth mentioning that Tesco ’ s responsibility ( to Local councillors and the people of Batley, as part of

its agreement within the take-over and its policy/advocacy of local enhancement and increased footfall

within the town, ) was to maintain a diversified shopping base, including Alfred ’ s Way.

With Tesco ’ s itself facing financial difficulty; and with two consecutive profit warnings and a decrease

in sales, it must also be seen that creative solutions by all in a shared capacity must be put in place

whether large or small enterprises, each can benefit from each other.

..And Future need

It is a salutary reminder that today there must also be a return to small sized and diversified retail outlets

within the retail mix, allowing for a smaller scale individual character to re-emerge, just as Fox ’ s Bis-

cuits initially came into being…

A break away from uniform, supersized and franchised outlets must occur, allowing for creative and ar-

ticulated new enterprises to flourish amongst local people as an expression of their involvement and

commitment to their own place and well-being.

Many UK cities were in danger of ‘ imploding ’ between 1970-90 and many market towns, established

by Royal Charter, ( e nabling trade to be established ) face great difficulty and challenge as ‘ super-

sized ’ economies of scale and networked distribution dominate a shrunken world!

There must be space for small commercial ventures to exist and thrive, just as there must be space for

a bio-diversity; the natural Kingdom of plant and wild-life. This must be politically driven, not just locally

but by Central Government. Otherwise we are in danger of creating ‘ Ghost Towns’ and barren

streets, where there was once trade and local endevour.

Local enterprise enriches local people, whose wealth significantly remains within its locality. Superstores

put little into each location, ( except minimum wages. ) There is little or no local profit dividend put into

community use. This must be acknowledged and reflected upon.

The ‘ Tesco ’ store does has its convenience and part to play within Batley yet it must put back more

to justify its position and local responsibility.

Batley Town-centre today along the main Commercial Street thoroughfare

As it stands today… Shop fronts and frontages

02 Shop to let Greggs Lloyds bank Shop to let Boots Card factory Shop to let Coral B shop Pawnbrokers Charity Shop Newspaper/Sweet shop Shop to Let Shop to Let

Tesco and footbridge Clothes shop Frozen foods Betting Shop pound shop Specsavers Shop to let Penny arcade Arts Initiative from Shop to Let Entrance to 13 shops to let

Batley High Street is anchored with the Town Hall and Police Station, ( Closed ) a town square and a memorial garden

( o f those who gave their lives, lest we forget.. ) with the Carnegie Library and Post Office. ( N ow an established restau-

rant, ) This leads to the Batley Swimming Baths and the Batley Art School, soon to be developed as an independent

Boys school. The square is completed with the Methodist Church and Batley Resource Centre for community groups and

initiatives. 3 further empty shops exist close by within the square.

The opposite part of Commercial Street is the dominating Tesco’ s ( by it ’ s absence ) and a footbridge which takes

shoppers to the store and its large car park. The established Woolworths is now in use as a general budget store.

Beginning a Strategy for Success…

Local Government and the Sustainable Communities Act 2007

David Cameron ’ s stated aim in the Conservative Manifesto of 2010 was to create a climate that em-

powered local people and communities, building a "big society" that would take power away from politi-

cians and give it to local people. This should be enhanced by The Sustainable Communities Act of 2007

( A mended in 2010 ) which is to put in place the ability for local voice and initiative to be heard and im-

plemented, enabling greater input into local jobs, facilities and initiatives, including trade, public safety

and housing needs.

It is an important piece of legislation, though under-utilised. It must also be recognised that local govern-

ment is obligated by law to listen to its local citizens, even if they are in need of technical facility which

should then be provided; local voices should then be guided though not steered by this technical in-

volvement.

It may seem a tall order to implement yet with the additional ‘ I ntercultural ’ sensibility, a common

ground of mutual benefit can be achieved. It calls on the best of people, a mutual and selfless better-

ment of trust, social equity and mutual benefit.

Ultimately a raising of stakes within the stake-holders, driven by the need to rescue a failing town with

many strong and willing local inhabitants. One a large scale, Manchester, Birmingham and Sheffield

have succeeded, it remains for success to be implemented on a micro scale within an important local

hub.

Interested parties will be sought for a completed inclusiveness.

We can see that there is a tremendous local potentiality and in fact participation. This gives an impera-

tive to local partnerships and a positive avenue for direct involvement and action.

...And Latent Skills

These latent skills must be discovered; green shoots must be identified and nurtured. They abound in all

areas and regions, a strategy should be made to discover them.

Youth and its vitality, age and its experience, ethnicity and its ‘ fresh ’ input into universal ways of

trade and production, rooted tradition and its expertise all can play a part in a revitalized civic structure.

It may be Utopian, but this is better than a cynicism driven by debt and greed!

The local voluntary sector shows an abundance of care and consideration, Vintage Days and local festi-

vals and celebrations show a willingness to participate, share and come together. Positive building

blocks are in place, it remains to be recognised, nurtured and built upon.

Interventions and Opportunities

There is in existence the opportunity to use the empty shop fronts as ‘ Windows ’ celebrating local arts

and creativity. The Batley Art Gallery under the guidance of Librarian and artist Mark Mills has led the

way in this endevour by placing work within ‘ S hoe Zone ’ an empty retail unit close to the Batley Ar-

cade.

There is also the newly established Creative Scene initiative ( and its associate Scene-makers by Ms

Rebecca Legg ) which is an exciting opportunity to input artistic and creative endevour into the North

Kirklees region which includes Batley. Creative Scene is liaising with local people to determine what is

wanted and needed within the area and formulating a valuable ‘ expression of interest ’ document.

There is a positive input from local M.P. Jo … together with the Retail Management Director Mr …who

has charge of the various empty retail spaces along Commercial Street.

Kirklees filmmakers led by Ms Meirul Din is a local creative endeavour which has played an important

part as a catalyst and advocate within additional regional community activities.

Tesco ’ s local management are currently offering the ‘ static ’ use of vacant shops within Alfred ’ s

Way, which will need clarification and enhancement. A positive beginning.

Batley Vintage Day organizer Mr ...has a valued and experienced part to play within this new venture.

Mark Mills of B. Art Gallery & Library as an arts representative has shown a willingness to participate

and an initiative to get things started.

Creative Partnerships ...and creative solutions; a multi layered approach

This is a brief and generic overview, yet nevertheless a creative layering can be addressed and formu-

lated, a strategic overview which can be used for further in depth operation developing a toolkit ap-

proach for application. This is outside the remit set here but should be considered and formulated.

What is needed is simply a greater footfall, a renewed interest in the town as well as a renewed dy-

namic.. We all know this… so what steps can be taken?

Firstly a coming together of stakeholders and a division of input/responsibility and leadership put into

place. A definitive way forward with broad parameters of inclusion and responsibility.

Secondly these tentative and generic recommendations can be implemented, enhanced with detailed

specifics through discussion and input.

Thirdly, a multi-layered approach of activity is recommended, this must surely include commerce and

trade. Tesco must allow a greater flexibility for local wealth generation, including low or absent rents for

Alfred ’ s Way.

‘ S tatic ’ shop fronts showcasing ‘ art ’ is not enough, there must be people activity and a diversified

creative industry put into place. Avenues of creative input must be considered as a vital ingredient to

the pot and then these activities sought out and induced to come into the zone as producers or traders.

The layering of creative endevour then has a much greater chance of success, drawing in those of

greater purchasing power, and not just local residents who may find it difficult not to participate but to

purchase.

Layers of Involvement; ideas and suggestions…

Building upon existing skills and local endevour we can expand these into the following suggestions;

Alfred ’ s Way Arcade Boutique and funk! Local graduates from art schools ( Bradford, Leeds & Hud-

dersfield ) can be sought out and work identified and invited into ‘ The Zone ’ . The existing glass win-

dows to be commissioned with leaded stained-glass type design and interiors painted & decorated.

1. A ‘ homemade cake and cream shop with specialty teas and coffees

2. A dressmaker and indie clothing retailer with in-house designer

3. Tee shirt designer and record mix

4. A Leatherman!! A maker of bags and belts, coats and satchels

5. A varied dressmaker/costume designer

6. Ceramic tile and pottery works

7. An Indie cinema for day and evening viewing

8. A restaurant catering for fusion foods

9. A handmade furniture designer and home-ware creative

10-12. studios supporting local artists, ie painting, sculpture and ceramics )

13. A workshop centre to host schools and community participation within art projects run by in house

practitioners

13a. A small management office

Shop Fronts on the High Street; Commercial Street revisited…

With a total of 10 vacant sites, static viewing must be discounted as not enough to entice visitors into

the High Street. Active use and local integration must be encouraged and supported. Window dislays

are far too passive and will not prove successful. The encouragement of trade with low rents must be

encouraged, including a re-vitalised open trade market within the market square, seeking and encourag-

ing new traders and local produce from local farms and home manufacture. A consultative understand-

ing should be made to traders who participate in the market Square. Existing Commercial traders along

the High street will also benefit from increased footfall and vibrancy!

A generic recommendation as a starting point is;

1. A working Gallery/studio with a creative artist making in-situ.

2. A high quality local furniture maker; a showroom for settee ’ s ottomans and chaise longue.

3. Homemade confectionary or soaps and perfumes, beads and jewelry

4. Trained shoemaker and leather maker

5. A medicinal/herbal shop of alternative healing

6. From consultative and investigative need, 5 shops are filled with local enterprise including busi-

ness support from existing networks. An overview to enhancement and compatibility is undertaken

through review and assessment.

...And additions

Timetable of operations

This can tentatively be set at three years of nurturing which coincides with the Creative Scene directive

which will have a similar timescale of implementation.

There will have to be investment by various stakeholders, and/or payment in kind, including local gov-

ernment, established business ’ s and community groups.

Perhaps European funding can also be sought, which means a dedicated time by an organizational set

up to procure this.

Further layers of operation are needed, including local festivals as well as invited markets, German,

French and Spanish; where rents are kept to a minimum so that all profits can be retained by the visi-

tors. It is a service and a benefit to the place which must be recognised as such, and not to increase lo-

cal government revenue!

Budgets and Costs

Alfred ’ s Way will need refurbishment as well as a commission for the leaded lights and design along

the glass fronts leading to the Petrol Station on the Bradford Road.

Rents should be with-held except for minimum caretaking and electric charges and access maximized

under consultative consideration.

Landscaping and seating to be re-valued although a robust design is in place and shop-front shuttering

to be assessed for a painted design intervention creating a unity and interest when shops are closed.

Summary

There is a way forward; a degree of selflessness will be needed, an easing of financial restrictions

( R ents and Rates ) and a support network in place to let new enterprise grow and be nurtured.

The seeds are there and local talent, endevour and commitment exists.

Further efforts will be needed to identify and secure complimentary activities and to enhance and in-

clude outside trade, visiting markets is a good example of this.

High rents and networked distribution kill and restrict trade, as much as interest debt and economies of

scale. Access to a free market ( or at least with minimized rents ) is the only solution to local ende-

vour which has been stifled and extinguished over the last three decades.