In July’s Civic Matters column VECS chair Gill Pawson wants readers thoughts on whether a covered space in redevelopment of Riverside is a good option.
By Gill Pawson
I am delighted to report that the Grade I Listed Round House building in Market Square (NatWest bank) is now fully exposed after extensive renovation, and what a splendid sight it is.
Sadly, there is still no news on what will happen to the building when the bank closes next month on August 25.
Last year NatWest pledged to hand over the 15th Century half-timbered building to an organisation who could preserve it as a heritage asset for the town. Although it has been in dialogue with various bodies, a new owner has not been announced yet.
Gill Pawson, chair of Vale of Evesham Civic Society. Picture by Marcus Mingins 3525003MMR2
We are now able to see the detailed proposals for the demolition of the Riverside shopping centre building and car park.
After careful consideration by members, the Vale of Evesham Civic Society (VECS) has submitted many comments on this major redevelopment project.
I mention this now because at a recent meeting of the Evesham Place Board I was given a large box of photographs of Riverside by Wychavon District Council’s development project officer.
She had been given them by the centre’s manager who thought that an Evesham group should take custody of them for posterity. The photos are therefore on their way to an archive, but not before I had a good look at them.
Taken in its heyday in the early 1990s, the photos gave me a fascinating insight into what the public areas were used for.
Avonbank Brass Band in action. s
I was not resident in Evesham at this time, and if you similarly moved here in the last 20 you might be interested to know the central space was used for a range of activities.
This includes charity fund raising, festive celebrations, Morris dancing, musical events, fashion shows, martial arts and car launches to name but a few.
This covered central space was obviously much used and the past – one we will be losing once and for all when the centre has been demolished.
Easter egg extravangza with former mayor of Evesham Diana Raphael in 1991. s
As VECS begins to prepare its feedback to the district council for when preliminary suggestions for its redevelopment are put out for public comment, it would be helpful to know whether people think we need a similar covered space incorporated into the new complex.
If you are a member of a charity or activity or performance group, would you use the area, especially if it can be available free of charge? If so, what would you use it for?
There is such a diversity of groups events operating in and around town that make use of Market Square, but of course any open air activity is always subject to the vagaries of the British weather.
An enclosed or covered space seems like an attractive option.
Please email [email protected] share your thoughts.
