Bath companies can have their say on the latest plans for the city’s Milsom Quarter at a series of drop-in sessions next week.
Bath & North East Somerset Council is seeking views on the proposals, pictured, which will form a key element of the larger redevelopment of the northern part of the city centre.
These aim to positioning the area as a fashion and high-end retail destination for the South West, along with more housing and improved public spaces.
The plans include a new public space at the front of St Michael’s church and a creative workspace development at Broad Street Yards.
Visitors to the sessions will also get an update on progress being made on developing a new home for the city’s Fashion Museum in the Old Post Office on the corner of New Bond Street and Northgate Street, pictured below.
The council’s regeneration and Fashion Museum teams will host the drop-in sessions to give updates on the projects, gather views and answer questions.
The sessions will take place at 23 New Bond Street on 8 and 9 May from 1pm to 6pm, and 10 May and 11 from 10am to 4pm.
There will also be an online engagement survey at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/milsom-quarter/have-your-say, which opens on 13 May and runs until 31 May.
The council is also partnering with Bath BID (Business Improvement district) and West Midlands-based specialist event firm LSD Promotions on the Bath Spring Fayre, bringing entertainment, workshops, street food and artisan stalls to Milsom Street, New Bond Street, Wood Street, Quiet Street and Green Street on May 10, 11 and 12.
Cabinet member for economic and cultural sustainable development, Cllr Paul Roper, said: “The Milsom Quarter Masterplan proposals aim to transform the top of the city with a range of public realm improvements, employment space and the new Fashion Museum at its heart.
“Our drop-in events and online survey are a chance to get an update on how some of the projects are progressing and to have your say, ahead of further formal consultation in the future.
“Alongside this, we are working with focus groups to explore issues such as accessibility and discussing plans with businesses to seek their feedback.
“This round of engagement will help us test some of the Masterplan ideas at an early stage.”
Bath’s internationally significant Fashion Museum, which was housed in the Assembly Rooms for nearly 60 years, closed just under 18 months ago.
The council’s £37m museum relocation project also includes a new Fashion Collection Archive in Bath Spa University’s Creative Arts Quarter at Locksbrook.
The council believes the relocated museum, regarded as, will be key for the recovery of Bath’s pandemic-hit tourism sector as well as acting as a catalyst for the transformation of the surrounding are area into a new fashion quarter.
