As the months roll by since the vast swathe of space between the Square and Middle Street was razed, speculation on what would rise from the rubble has been rife.
Sadly, the Phase 2 Space (as it is known) has still not attracted a developer, despite oodles of council cash being splashed on consultants.
Anyone arriving by bus or tram therefore gets a poor aspect of Beeston when approaching: much like the pre-Tesco wilderness that once blighted the space opposite less than a decade ago. It’s not a good look and leads to a vicious circle: if the area looks run-down, it’s unlikely to find a developer. If it can’t find a developer, it will look more run down. And so on.
We hope to transform the area with vibrant street artwork, perhaps depicting famous Beestonians mingling among the old town centre buildings
We therefore were cheered by the innovation recently shown by a bunch of Beestonians, who banded together and put forward a proposal to give the drab parts of Beeston a boost with street art – creating murals across the bits of Beeston that do not reflect the vibrancy and strangeness within: think the wall running down Phase 2; the ‘Birds’ wall on Station Road, etc. Jeanie O’Shea, one of the project’s initiators, said:
“We hope to transform the area with vibrant street artwork, perhaps depicting famous Beestonians mingling among the old town centre buildings that were demolished for the current 70’s structures, or similar. There are great possibilities”
They’ve been brainstorming ideas for some time, taking inspiration from Bristol, Nottingham’s Lace Market and numerous other places. What would suit us, bearing in mind this is Broxtowe, not the Bronx? To make it happen they need YOUR support. The Beestonian is very happy to give their support to this innovative, low cost idea: you can too by going onto Facebook, joining the group ‘Beeston Street Art Festival’ and becoming part of the debate.
Let’s paint the town red. And if we can afford another spray can, some other colours.