The vision for Wellington Orbit 

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. 

Consultation and engagement 

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. 

The project 

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 

Key milestones 

• Spring 2024 - Consultation and engagement activity 
• Summer/Autumn 2024 - Submit planning application and expected planning decision 
• Subject to planning: 
• Spring 2025 - Works start on site 
• Winter 2025 - Completion of refurbishment works