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Stourport ForwardStourport Forward Market Towns Initiative Programme: 2005 - 2009

The Stourport Forward Market Towns Programme was a 4 year regeneration programme. During the first three years grants were awarded towards the cost of projects which were mainly delivered by partner agencies and all projects monitored closely by Stourport Forward. Up to £666,000 was provided by Advantage West Midlands who funded and monitored the programme. This generated an additional £3.5 million of investment in the town through match funding to the projects. By taking on the role of Accountable Body (including employing the Programme Manager and part time Project Administrator) British Waterways enabled this £4 million regeneration scheme to go ahead.

Stourport Forward Limited is a Company Limited by Guarantee which was initially created to deliver and manage the Market Towns Programme. Stourport Forward board members were elected from the Stourport Forward Partnership (which consists of representatives from local groups) in addition to an elected representative of Wyre Forest District Council and the Accountable Body.

The three major projects during the first 3 years of the Stourport Forward programme were:

• The Restoration of Stourport Canal Basins (British Waterways). This project was the cornerstone of the regeneration programme and was designed to transform Stourport Basins into a major heritage tourism destination. A Stourport Forward grant of £256,000 was awarded towards the overall project cost of £3.2 million, which included a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £1.7 million and a cocktail of other funders. Following major restoration and enhancement work to the basins area, including buildings and structures, the site was recently relaunched through the Flow Festival as a major tourist attraction, providing another focus for leisure and recreation in Stourport. The aim was to re-engage town and basins, attract additional heritage visitors, improve quality of visits through interpretation and improved access, and educate local people and visitors about history / cultural heritage, leading to a projected increase of around 225,000 new visitors and annual visitor spend of £1.7 million per annum and helping to create or secure jobs. To find out more click here.

•  Revitalisation of the Sandy Lane Industrial Estate (British Business Parks) This project included the creation of a new sign and lay by at the entrance to the estate, a new section of footpath and substantial repair and upgrading of two privately owned roads, which will were then adopted and  maintained by Worcestershire County Council. The small grant scheme awarded £50,000 to businesses located on the estate, stimulating a wave of private investment by local businesses through the requirement of at least 40% match funding. A part – time Business Park Co-ordinator liaised with local businesses and public sector bodies to deliver the project and other security and environmental improvements supporting the work of the Sandy Lane Business Association. This included exploring options for future developments and producing a regular newsletter for local businesses. British Business Parks advise that, to date, the project has resulted in the creation of over 50 jobs, safeguarded 90 jobs and directly assisted 36 businesses. The small grants scheme generated £189K of private investment in the estate.

•  Stourport Pride Study (Wyre Forest District Council) This partnership project, which received a Stourport Forward grant of £15,000, was led by Wyre Forest District Council and resulted in the production of the Stourport Pride Report which contains detailed design guidance for the implementation of public realm improvements within key areas of the town. Following a public consultation period the study was formally adopted by Wyre Forest District Council in November 2006. To read the Stourport Pride Study click here.

Two projects led by Wyre Forest District Council, result from the Stourport Pride Report (2006), and are funded through Stourport Forward, Wyre Forest District Council, Worcestershire County Council and Stourport Town Council.

  1. Bridge Street Enhancement - new “tear drop” lighting, resurfacing  carriageway (including gateway feature), new block and other paving surfaces, street furniture (including new finger posts) and mural.
  2. Enhancement of Stourport Riverside Meadows - installation of new benches, bins, finger posts and “what’s on “ signs (July 2008).

Development of Stourport Website, Leaflets, Adverts and Branding
The Stourport Town website was transformed and relaunched by Tim Ellis of Stourport Forward in January 2007 and was approved  by Stourport Town Council as the official website of Stourport Town. The site now contains a wealth of information about the town and historic canal basins. Stourport Forward has also developed adverts, leaflets and branding for the town and canal basins through the work of Tim Ellis.

The MTI Programme included 13 main projects and Community Chest Scheme (15 projects funded). Total = 28 projects in total the MTI programme. During the final years of the programme grants were awarded to develop the plans to apply for additional funding from AWM to create a cafe/restaurant and heritage room at Stourport Canal Basins, to begin to plan and develop an events and activities programme.

An award winning programme and projects:-