The Cultural Consortium on the Old High Street Intra has been granted £10,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, allowing them to initiate two essential projects. This funding marks a significant milestone for the consortium as it paves the way for the commencement of their legacy from the High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) Cultural Programme, continuing to support the cultural and community fabric of Medway.

The first project involves transitioning the consortium into a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) to solidify its status as a lasting and impactful entity. The initial £5,000 grant will be dedicated to establishing the charity, ensuring a seamless continuation of the consortium’s work. This will be facilitated by the HSHAZ programme which concludes at the end of March 2024 after a successful two years supporting regeneration in the area. The goal is to maintain momentum and enable a smooth transition as the consortium enters its ‘Legacy’ phase, as outlined in the funding bid to Historic England.

To celebrate the successful conclusion of the HSHAZ project, the Cultural Consortium is hosting a special celebration event on Thursday 7th March. The event will showcase local eateries, art exhibitions and a catwalk presentation, acknowledging the achievements of the past two years. Particularly noteworthy is the Pride Coat created by local artist Konstanty Mvrzynski, which will be featured during the catwalk and then auctioned to raise funds for upcoming projects. The auction will run until 7 April 2024, find out more here: https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/medwaypriderainbowcoatbykonstantymvrzynski

The second half of the grant will be used for a feasibility study under the UKSPF programme. This study will explore the implementation of ‘Parklets’ for the Old High Street Intra. Parklets are compact outdoor seating areas, each filling a parking bay, designed to improve pedestrian safety, foster community engagement, and create a green corridor in urban environments. The concept, previously tested in a two-week pilot project in March 2023, proved very popular among local businesses, customers, and the community.

Jody Carrington, Owner of Poco Loco, The Intra’s Mexican Restaurant and bar, said: “The trial was a fantastic addition to the area, bringing café culture to the Intra and creating a similar vibe to Camden Market. Customers were able to enjoy their meals and drinks outside during good weather, sparking interest for people to visit the surrounding businesses. This also addressed the issue of our restaurant not having back garden facilities.”

The feasibility study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the Parklet initiative’s benefits, environmental impact, parking implications, and maintainability. The consortium expects to generate a roadmap for the proposed implementation of Parklets in other suitable locations, securing further public and private investments for long-term success.