A project to improve the environment of Union Street, increase visitor footfall to the north of the city and encourage trade, is due to begin this month. The Bath Business Improvement District is working with Bath and North East Somerset Council and local traders on the £170,000 scheme, which will see environmentally-friendly street furniture (the street furniture and planters are manufactured by a highly sustainable company who use 100% renewable energy sources for manufacture and have a carbon neutral factory, as well as using environmentally-certified Scandinavian timber) installed alongside new planting, to boost biodiversity and create spaces for people to dwell. The first phase of the project begins on 17th September and aims to improve the vibrancy and attractiveness of Union Street for residents and visitors to Bath. It includes a pilot aiming to test the concept of bespoke, branded stalls in the city to celebrate the ‘Union Street Independent Traders’ as a destination.
Read more information about the Council’s Public Realm and Movement strategy here.
Allison Herbert, Chief Executive of Bath BID, said:
“We were delighted to be invited to participate in this collaborative project to look at improvements to the environment of Union Street. Our footfall counters show that it is the busiest street in Bath, but we know that people don’t linger, nor are they encouraged to discover the wonderful hidden streets which connect to Union Street. The BID funded the early design work with professional, award-winning local practice Macgregor Smith and hosted local business consultations. It will be wonderful to see the planting and the seating finally installed this month, and we anticipate that the new location for the street stalls will benefit pedestrians and businesses. We hope that this pilot will be extended into the future phases and other areas with improved decorative lighting being a key aspiration from local businesses.”
