Telford & Wrekin Council resident surveys and local engagement has shown demand for the development of a nighttime economy with a stronger leisure and cultural offer in Wellington.
The expansion of the existing Orbit cinema and café on Market Square has the potential to create a key focus for this activity alongside the growing food and drink offer.
Government funding will enable the acquisition of the bank building by the community enterprise and its full restoration to create new exhibition, arts, and community events space.
Together with Wellington Market, the investment will create a significant culture and arts focus in the historic core of the town centre, complimenting and stimulating the growing food and drink offer, both pivotal elements of Wellington’s regeneration strategy.
The proposed enhancements to Wellington Market and additional uses at the already popular Orbit building will help to provide a point of difference for the town, diversify the offer and fulfil the role as an alternative destination in Telford.
As a community charity, all activities undertaken at Wellington Orbit are aligned with the needs of the local community. There has been significant consultation undertaken to understand how the upper floors of the building could be refurbished to best serve local need. Key headlines from this consultation were:
There are no good quality small spaces in the town centre that could be used as offices, either on short term flexible arrangements or short-term leases
There is demand for consulting/meeting spaces for health, mental health and outreach community support services, in an accessible location, close to public transport amenities
There is a lack of small events, gallery, and exhibition space for use by the arts and cultural sector
There is insufficient space to accommodate themed film nights at the cinema, where a dining offer can also be provided as the café in isolation is too small
In addition, over the last 12 months research has been undertaken to establish community need for an arts and community centre at Wellington Orbit. Views have been sought from a range of potential clients. Headline results include:
98% of respondents supported the creation of a community arts venue in Wellington, demonstrating a strong preference for the creation of new meeting rooms and performance space in the town
There is a high level of demand with a wide range of arts-based practitioners, performers and organisations expressing firm interest in hosting regular activities and events at Wellington Orbit
The proposed uses of the refurbished upper floors present a range of opportunities for community outreach and signposting activities around health and wellbeing, adult education and social inclusion for the local community
The detailed findings of this engagement will inform the future designs of the upper floors of the Wellington Orbit building. Engagement with wider stakeholders will also continue throughout project delivery.
Clifton Community Arts Centre Ltd is a non-profit organisation and is located at Wellington Orbit building. The building has been partially converted to a café and cinema, which is now a valued local cultural asset; attracting footfall from within and outside the borough. The remainder of the building is currently vacant across the first and second floor areas. The project will:
Acquire the entire building to secure the future of the venue as a community asset
Refurbish vacant and dilapidated upper floors
Deliver multi-functional community spaces for exhibitions, performing arts, community outreach services and offices
Attract additional footfall to Wellington, thus supporting local businesses in the town centre and safeguarding the future of the town
Increase the availability of local services for the community
The establishment of Wellington Orbit cinema and café on Market Square has the potential to be a key focus and stimulus for this alongside the growing food and drink offer. However, without further investment Wellington Orbit will struggle to develop beyond its first phase.
Together with Wellington Market, the investment will create a significant culture and arts focus in the historic core of the town centre, complimenting and stimulating the growing food and drink offer, both pivotal elements of Wellington’s Regeneration Strategy.
The proposed enhancements to the Market and additional uses at the already popular Orbit building will help to provide a point of difference for the town, diversify the offer and fulfil the role as an alternative destination in Telford.
The project will:
We will endeavour to minimise the impact of the works and keep Wellington Orbit open. As we determine the scale of works required, we will be able to provide further details.
It is estimated that the construction works will take approximately 1 year.
There will be no immediate impact on residents and businesses. However, once the proposed development works are underway, there will inevitably be some impact on the operation of Wellington Orbit.
Once the design proposals have been finalised, we will be able to share further details.
Future public consultations via face to face and online events and surveys will be publicised on the ‘Get Involved' page.
In the meantime, if you would like to contact us about Wellington Orbit project, please email levellingupfund@telford.gov.uk
Please visit www.wellingtonorbit.co.uk to find out more about activities on offer at Wellington Orbit.