Pennine Lancashire Squared - Page 2

andrewb · 25-11-2008, 22:25

1. There is always the good, bad and the ugly but what do you love about Accrington and what are the great things that make it unique?

The community and again architecture.

2. When visiting the town centre, where do you go; is market a place you visit, do you stop, people watch, meet friends, have a coffee or just pass by? What currently happens in the spaces around the town hall and market place?

I visit the market, and people watch while eating a sandwich on Broadway (if there's seating room).

3. What is the Pennine Landscape?

It's not squared.

4. Are there any people and/or events in Accrington’s history which might be reflected in the designs?

For me there needs to be some reference to the milk advert. Wherever I go, when I say I'm from Accrington, those same 7 words are repeated every time. It always makes me smile.

5. What is the best time of year to be in Accrington town centre?

Summer, mainly because I like summer.

6. If Accrington town centre was a meal, what would it be and what would it taste of?

Marmite.

7. What is the essential character and quality of Accrington and its people that distinguishes Accrington from its neighbouring Pennine towns?

Friendliness and helpfulness

8. What aspects or preconceptions of the town, its character, culture or community would you like the scheme either to reinforce or dispel?

Reinforce the community feel, and steer away from our town centre being identical to neighbouring ones.

9. New public spaces will be created in front of the town hall, market place and in the space currently occupied by the bus station in Peel Street. What do you, the residents of Accrington, want to see in these spaces?

I'd like to see lots of seating, and perhaps a nice, calm, water feature, just so those with a busy life can have a sit down for 5 minutes and enjoy the surroundings.

10. What would make Accrington a better place?

The market should be the centrepiece of our town, and we need a more diverse set of shops, so we don't end up a corporate ghost town.

Gayle · 25-11-2008, 22:26

Thanks Andrew - any more for any more?

cashman · 25-11-2008, 23:00

[QUOTE=Gayle;654690]..............

Here are the questions

1. There is always the good, bad and the ugly but what do you love about Accrington and what are the great things that make it unique?
the buildings and people.
2. When visiting the town centre, where do you go; is market a place you visit, do you stop, people watch, meet friends, have a coffee or just pass by? What currently happens in the spaces around the town hall and market place?i use the market every week,always had a coffee until the smoking ban, now rarely.

3. What is the Pennine Landscape?2 Fancy Words.

4. Are there any people and/or events in Accrington’s history which might be reflected in the designs?loads of famous/notable people,plus the Pals,

5. What is the best time of year to be in Accrington town centre?Summer cos i can stay fer a coffee and sit outside.

6. If Accrington town centre was a meal, what would it be and what would it taste of? just think thats a daft question n not worth answering.

7. What is the essential character and quality of Accrington and its people that distinguishes Accrington from its neighbouring Pennine towns?
friendly and helpful people,
8. What aspects or preconceptions of the town, its character, culture or community would you like the scheme either to reinforce or dispel? have family who moved away oer 40 years ago, when visiting 2 yrs ago remarked how things had changed for the worse, were delighted much of the old architecture still remained, this should be highlighted i feel.

9. New public spaces will be created in front of the town hall, market place and in the space currently occupied by the bus station in Peel Street. What do you, the residents of Accrington, want to see in these spaces?
a sheltered garden with adequate seating.
10. What would make Accrington a better place?

more shops which are NOT £1, and less charity shops.

cashman · 25-11-2008, 23:01

sorry dont know what happened to the red replies?

The kevolution · 26-11-2008, 07:51

1. There is always the good, bad and the ugly but what do you love about Accrington and what are the great things that make it unique?

I love the fact that you're never too far from the countryside wherever you are in town. Almost everywhere you go the surrounding scenery makes itself known.

2. When visiting the town centre, where do you go; is market a place you visit, do you stop, people watch, meet friends, have a coffee or just pass by? What currently happens in the spaces around the town hall and market place?

I almost always visit the market but going into the town centre is usually a shopping (or librarying) experience.

3. What is the Pennine Landscape?

Hills.

4. Are there any people and/or events in Accrington’s history which might be reflected in the designs?

Nothing comes to mind.

5. What is the best time of year to be in Accrington town centre?

Autumn, when the conkers are falling from the trees outside the Market Hall.

6. If Accrington town centre was a meal, what would it be and what would it taste of?

Steak Pudding, Chips and Gravy.

7. What is the essential character and quality of Accrington and its people that distinguishes Accrington from its neighbouring Pennine towns?

I don't consider that there remains much of an Accrington character any more. For every down-to-earth, friendly and helpful family (like my neighbours) there's an introverted, closeted family (like my other neighbours) and/or a bunch of insensitive, self centred ruffians (like my former neighbours).

8. What aspects or preconceptions of the town, its character, culture or community would you like the scheme either to reinforce or dispel?

We don't all have flat caps and whippets. (Or Burberry caps and Staffordshire terriers)

9. New public spaces will be created in front of the town hall, market place and in the space currently occupied by the bus station in Peel Street. What do you, the residents of Accrington, want to see in these spaces?

I want to see a space with both open space and seating. Somewhere that special events can have a focus but not containing the kind of pretentious tosh that tends to get vandalised on a Saturday night.

10. What would make Accrington a better place?

Regaining some of its lost community spirit.

Gayle · 12-02-2009, 18:25

I'm just dragging this thread back up again because the ideas have now been put forward by the five design agencies.

They're currently on show in the indoor market - somewhere near the sweet stall I believe.

I've been roped in to standing on the stall tomorrow to talk to people about the designs and get some reactions. As it will be the first time I've really seen them too it will be quite interesting for me as well.

I'll be there from 10am to 1pm, please come and talk to me.

Gayle · 13-02-2009, 17:15

Well, I stood there today and had quite a lot of interesting conversations with people.

If you don't get chance to go down and see the designs you could download them from the HBC website
Pennine Lancashire Squared International Design Competition - New Square for Accrington - Have Your Say!

Only thing I would say is that on design one - it shows the horrid blue and white council building being knocked down - that part of the design was not in the brief and so don't be misled by it.

If you don't want to complete the questionnaire please feel free to just select a prefered option. If you need to ask any questions about any of the proposals please do.

Neil · 13-02-2009, 17:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

Only thing I would say is that on design one - it shows the horrid blue and white council building being knocked down - that part of the design was not in the brief and so don't be misled by it.

I liked that one I think. I find them all hard to visualise. By taking that building down the centre would look better. What would they do with the yellow one opposite to make it look better? We would loose a few shops but that is not really a problem any more.

garinda · 13-02-2009, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

I liked that one I think. I find them all hard to visualise. By taking that building down the centre would look better. What would they do with the yellow one opposite to make it look better? We would loose a few shops but that is not really a problem any more.

Which yellow one opposite, Arndale House?

I consider that a thing of great aesthetic beauty compared to the hated blue and white Town Hall extention/shops facade.

Hopefully I'll be having a good look at the proposals tomorrow.

lancsdave · 13-02-2009, 19:18

I better go and have a look at these plans as it may affect my retail empire

jaysay · 14-02-2009, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancsdave

I better go and have a look at these plans as it may affect my retail empire

Com-pen-sa-tion maybe setting in dave

Bonnyboy · 14-02-2009, 10:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

They're currently on show in the indoor market - somewhere near the sweet stall I believe.

I had a look at the designs, they do look promising. Particularly like the demolishing of the blue/white council building and fountain type things outside the Market Hall.

churchman phil · 14-02-2009, 11:04

Saw these plans in the library on thursday. Only thing it didn't outline there was the where the bus station is moving to. I presume it's going to be on the car park behind Union Street??

Gayle · 14-02-2009, 12:27

Please don't be misled by the design showing the blue and white building being knocked down - this will NOT happen. Certainly not in this phase. The designers have taken the brief too far.

The bus station is shown clearly as moving from its existing place on Peel St to the space behind where the old Kwik Save was. The bus station is a bit of a red herring in this because whichever design is chosen the bus station is moving to the same place. There will still be bus stops close to the market entrance so it will not affect anything apart from where the bus drivers park their bus to have a break!

garinda · 14-02-2009, 17:20

Interesting, and some good ideas.

Though of course there are some daft ones too, which is perfectly ok at this stage.

Thought the design that showed all the benches and trees disappearing from infront of the Market Hall, to be replaced by fountains that shoot up your jacksie, should perhaps remain on paper.

Over all very impressive.

It did say that hopefuly the winning designs will be completed within seven years, is that for sure, is funding for the project secured?