‘We were not made for dining room discos, for sourdough starter kits. We were not made for loneliness, we need this’
NEW POEM AND VIDEO CELEBRATE THE JOYS OF GOING OUT AND RETURNING TO THE CITY
A POEM and video have been launched as part of a campaign announcing that Leicester is open for business.
Let In The Light, by Leicester poet Jess Green, highlights the reasons to get out and enjoy the city’s bars, restaurants and shops, as well as invoking the pleasures of dressing up for a much-needed night out with friends after so long under Covid-19 restrictions.
It is accompanied by footage of Leicester-raised actor, writer and film-maker Jassa Ahluwalia, who leads viewers through well-loved parts of the city including the historic Lanes and Old Town area, Evington and Belgrave.
It is the latest stage of the city council’s £120,000 We’ve Missed You campaign, celebrating the easing of the last of the national lockdown restrictions, supporting businesses to reopen, reminding people what they have missed and inspiring them to savour once again the diversity on offer in the city, in a responsible way.
Since May last year, the council has received £318,000 from the European Regional Development Fund’s Reopening High Streets Safely fund, as well as a further £318,000 from the government’s Welcome Back Fund.
The cash allows councils to put in place additional measures to establish a safe trading environment for both businesses and customers, as well as enabling campaigns such as We’ve Missed You to boost city businesses.
The council is working with businesses across the city on ensuring they can welcome back customers in a Covid-safe, friendly way.
Another specially-commissioned video launched earlier this summer, accompanied by the poignant poem By The Clock Tower, written by Arch Creative cofounder Joe Nixon, evoked memories of meeting friends at the city centre landmark and the excitement of being able to do so again as restrictions began to ease.
The latest offering comes as the country seeks a safe route back to some semblance of normality.
The short film accompanying Let In The Light was directed by Curve’s artistic director, Nikolai Foster, and Cara Nolan. It was made by creative firm Image Nova, which is based at the Cultural Quarter’s Phoenix arts centre.
A poetry exhibition is also due to be held later this month, showcasing works by members of the public who took part in a series of workshops run by Curve, reflecting on the experiences of lockdown and the hopes for the future.