Have your say on shaping Newark’s cultural future

Residents and visitors of Newark are being invited to have their say on Newark’s cultural activities and how best to promote and celebrate the town’s history and heritage.

As part of Newark’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) project, which is being funded by Historic England, a three year cultural programme has been developed titled ‘Newark Creates’.

Newark and Sherwood District Council and Inspire, the lead project partner, have opened a public consultation to understand more about Newark’s residents and visitors, what cultural activities they already engage with and what town centre experiences they would like to see on offer.

Councillor David Lloyd, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “This is a great initiative to truly interpret the town’s history and heritage through cultural activities for people of all ages to enjoy. The funding from Historic England will allow us to revive and unlock the full potential of Newark’s historic high streets and generate a sense of pride and community in our town. I encourage everyone, whether they be a resident or a visitor of Newark, to have their say in this consultation.”

The cultural programme will be built and led by Newark’s Cultural Consortium, which is made up of several local organisations including Inspire, Newark Civic Trust, Newark Heritage Trust, Newark Book Festival, Newark and Sherwood CVS and Newark and Sherwood College (Schools of Violin, Piano and Woodwind).

Carol Newman, Director of Culture at Inspire said: “With the public’s help through this consultation, we aspire to build a programme that will celebrate Newark’s heritage and community and help local organisations, communities and stakeholders to embed and sustain the benefit of the High Street Heritage Action Zone project in the future.”

Newark Conservation Area was granted £275,000 from Historic England to restore and unlock its heritage potential and the initiative will breathe new life into town centres by revitalising old buildings and regenerate a vibrant place for locals, businesses and visitors.

In addition to implementing a cultural programme and building community engagement the project, which will run from 2021 to 2024, will include transforming and restoring disused and dilapidated buildings into new homes, shops, work places and community spaces.

The public can have their say by completing the five minute survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HazSurvey. The consultation will close on Sunday 7 March.

For more information on the High Street Heritage Action Zone, visit: https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/haz/.