Southampton’s Guildhall Square receives prestigious award
11 July 2011
Guildhall Square in Southampton has been chosen as the winner of a national Street Design Award.
The prestigious local government publication Local Government News has chosen Southampton’s new Cultural Quarter hub as the winner of the Editor's choice category in their 2011 Street Design Awards.
Guildhall Square which completed in September last year has hosted a series of successful events, including Midsummer Dreams, Alive & Ablaze and a Royal Wedding Street Party.
Councillor Royston Smith was handed the award by Laura Sharman, Editor of Local Government News today.
Councillor Royston Smith, Leader of Southampton City Council said:
“Guildhall Square has given residents a lot of pleasure and attracted significant further investment to Southampton.
“I am very pleased and proud people are recognising our public realm and that Local Government News’ editor selected us as winners out of all Street Designs submitted around the country.”
Street Design Awards is a nationwide competition that has been running for over 20 years. It recognises best practice and rewards innovation in street design. Around 150 entries were received and judged by an independent panel of experts.
Laura Sharman, Editor of Local Government News, said: “I am delighted to announce that the Guildhall Square has been chosen as the Editor's choice winner of our 2011 Street Design Awards. The scheme was chosen as it has all the elements of a successful public realm project it provides a pedestrian friendly environment, creates a sense of place and destination and will drive forward further regeneration of the area."
Guildhall Square is tomorrow (Saturday July 9) hosting another happening, when No Fit State Circus’ Barricade event starts at 9.30pm. It will transform the square into a spectacular aerial playground with circus imagery, breathtaking aerial and acrobatic skills, amazing pyrotechnics and inspiring live music.
For more information about events in Southampton:www.southampton.gov.uk/events
Southampton’s Cultural Quarter incorporates:
* The Mayflower Theatre with its new enhanced stage access that will allow West End shows to unload direct onto stage
* The BBC South and BBC Solent Radio studios
* The Sea City Museum which has been granted £4.9m from the Heritage Lottery Fund is currently under construction and will complete in April 2012
* The Art Gallery with its internationally renowned collection, spanning six centuries of European art history
* The Central Library and archives that hold photographs, documents and other media
* The Guildhall - a premier music venue
* Guildhall Square - a unique space at the heart of the Cultural Quarter completed in September 2010, which is perfect for holding outdoor events.
* One Guildhall Square office building, with Turtle Bay restaurant on the ground floor with outdoor seating on the square. The second unit is available to rent.
* Southampton Solent University who deliver an array of media and performing arts course
* Southampton’s new arts complex has been granted £7.2m from Arts Council England. A planning application has been submitted this week. It has an anticipated handover to the council in 2013.
The investment in the Cultural Quarter is expected to bring in more than 2000 direct jobs and an additional £21m of visitor spend to Southampton each year.
Find out more about the Cultural Quarter:www.southampton.gov.uk/culturalquarter
Image shows: font: Laura Sharman (Editor of Local Government News) handing the award certificate to Cllr Royston Smith (Leader of Southampton City Council);
back (from left to right): Duncan Minty (Mott MacDonald), Peter Knight (Mott MacDonald), Chris Weedon (Halcrow), Andy Webb (Halcrow), Richard Chinn (Mott MacDonald), Mark Evans (Southampton City Council), Tim Levenson (Southampton City Council)
Image copyright: Southampton City Council
For more information:
Contact: Isabel Hokken, Media Officer, Southampton City Council
Tel: 023 8083 4672
Email: isabel.hokken@southampton.gov.uk
