Creative Hinckley Latest News

Big ideas taking shape in Hinckley

Posted Wednesday, 27 May, 2009 by Pete Underhill

Over recent weeks, there couldn’t be many people traveling along Lower Bond Street, Hinckley, that hadn’t noticed the Goddard Building shrouded in green fabric.

The wrapping has been put on, whilst work is completed on the roof and repairs made to windows, prior to the dramatic refurbishment of the interior. Like a caterpillar destined to become a glorious butterfly, the wrapping could signify the building going through its own transformation.

Since its inception in 2007, Creative Hinckley has occasionally been in the news regarding the vision for a developed Hinckley. However, as work continues on the Atkins site, Creative Hinckley can expect to be making the headlines more often, as they strive to become the first to take up residency of the refurbished Goddard building in autumn 2010.

The people behind Creative Hinckley are all artistic or creative practitioners living or working locally who are successful in their own right, from a broad range of artistic disciplines.

Creative Hinckley chairman, Gwyn Williams, said, "Over the past few months the inaugural team at Creative Hinckley has been hard at work developing the business plan and structure of Creative Hinckley, with the help of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, Creative Leicestershire and the Arts Council.

Thanks to all those who have taken part in the questionnaires and workshop groups, it has been a real team effort to create a strong base from which to launch a credible future for the creative community of the borough."

The group recently achieved recognition as a Not-For-Profit Community Interest Company registered at Companies House, which gives the group a strong foundation from which to expand their activities and ensure the needs of the creative community are taken into consideration. From their base within the Goddard Building, it is the intention of Creative Hinckley, using a series of workshops, seminars and focused training programmes, to bind and enhance the strengths of creative community in and around the area, and to showcase this thriving pool of creative skills throughout the UK.

Additionally, the Goddard Building is set to become a vibrant centre for creative businesses with studio spaces for local professional artists alongside all the support needed for fledgling businesses. When the refurbishment is completed, not only will Creative Hinckley be a landlord for small creative business trying to gain a foothold in in their chosen field, but the building itself will be the focal point for members of the creative community to meet, gain valuable insights and take advantage of the resources of the dynamic new centre. Creative Hinckley are working towards putting everythin in place for when the building opens in Spring/Summer 2010.

Stuart Bray, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Regeneration said, "We are very pleased to be working with Creative Hinckley on this exciting project for the town. The Creative Industries are a fast growing sector and, with this, we are continuing Hinckley’s reputation as a manufacturing town with a new generation of industry, innovation and design."

With over 100 artists, designers and craftspeople already on their database, Creative Hinckley are keen to reach out to any creative practitioner who may not have heard of the scheme or may be new to the area.

Those who would benefit from being part of this exciting development are invited to an open workshop event on 18th June at the function room, ‘The Factory’ situated in Graphic House on Druid Street, Hinckley between 6.30pm and 9.00pm. You’ll be very welcome.