Square and Enterprise Centre are new focal points for Mytholmroyd

Thursday, 26 November 2009

The centre of Mytholmroyd has been transformed in 2009 with the construction of a new town square in front of St Michael’s Church Hall; this is a much-needed focal point for the town, and is soon to be enhanced by a specially commissioned public artwork. This will be a four-metre high steel spire surrounded by a circular table of polished granite.

The square replaces a previous unprepossessing car park, and is stone-paved, with trees and plants, and a number of high quality benches for seating, to encourage the community feel. The square is mixed use for cars and pedestrians, but it has been designed so that it can also host open-air community events, festivals and markets. There is also a new riverside walkway leading from the square.

Within the recently revamped and extended St Michael’s Church Hall is an Enterprise Centre, equipped with computers and office paraphernalia for the use of local small businesses, with the aim of encouraging entrepreneurship and business start-ups.

The project is part of the Upper Calder Valley Renaissance. It was developed and funded by a successful partnership between St Michael’s Church (whose incumbent, the Revd James Allison, is also chair of Upper Calder Valley Renaissance), Yorkshire Forward and Calderdale Council, and is an excellent example of a regeneration project to improve the public realm. The partnership also highlights the important role faith groups can play, particularly Church of England communities with their often extensive land holdings, in bringing about physical regeneration that will benefit the whole community