Street facelift in bid to draw more visitors
Work to revamp a Somerset shopping street has begun in a bid to increase footfall around local businesses.
Temple Street in Keynsham is set to get a facelift as part of a wider scheme to improve the high street.
Keynsham is one of more than 60 high streets across the country that received funding from Historic England.
Bath and North East Somerset Council and Keynsham Town Council want to make the town more attractive to shoppers and encourage people to use local traders. Seven grant-funded schemes have been planned to make Temple Street more inviting.
Two large artworks, created by Bath Carnival, have been installed on Temple Street and Riverside Square and No.2 River Terrace is currently being refurbished.
The work is expected to finish in February 2023 and it will be used by local businesses and for the arts.
New planters, cycle parking and seating will be installed on the Riverside development side of the street over the next six months and, in January, work will begin on new paving on the opposite side of the street.
The Temple Street Improvement Project is part of the Keynsham High Street Heritage Action Zone Programme (HSHAZ) which aims to make Keynsham High Street a more vibrant place.
B&NES Council is leading the four-year project, which it has funded along with Historic England and Keynsham Town Council.
The council will also create a new online Keynsham Business Directory and launch a “shop local” campaign in partnership with Keynsham Town Council to promote the local area and support local businesses.
Cllr Mark Roper, cabinet member for economic development, regeneration and growth, said: “It’s great news that work is progressing on this important project that will help build the potential of Temple Street and continue to make Keynsham town centre more attractive for residents, businesses, tourists and investors. There is a rich heritage in Keynsham that we hope to encourage more people to engage with and enjoy.”
Keynsham’s Local Cultural Programme continues with a High Street Discovery Trail launched in October half term, an ongoing artist-led community quilting project about parenting in Keynsham, and a celebration of the town’s radio heritage in January.
Cllr Andy Wait, chair of Keynsham Town Council, said: “I would like to thank the project manager and everybody else who has contributed to this stage of the town centre improvements, in Temple Street. I look forward to seeing the result of their work.”
More information about the latest project updates and events can be found at Hikeynsham.co.uk. Anyone with questions or comments about Keynsham HSHAZ can email Keynshamhshaz@ Bathnes.gov.uk or write to Keynsham HS HAZ Project Team at Keynsham Town Council Office.