WYRE Forest Tourism and Leisure Network has discussed at length the development of Kidderminster town centre.

The general feeling was that a great opportunity to improve the town and attract visitors was being missed owing to the overall theme of the work being developer-led.

It was unanimously agreed that the town centre should include attractive areas with restaurants, bars, cinema and bowling alley and a central performing arts centre in a safe area which would attract people back to the town in the evenings.

The town does not take advantage of a series of canals running through the town which could be developed along the lines of the Gas Street Basin in Birmingham where they have turned an unsightly area into a tourist attraction which brings in thousands of visitors.

The Kidderminster area is particularly lacking in suitable facilities for participation in, and enjoyment, of the arts.

This fact, we believe, was convincingly demonstrated in professionally-produced feasibility studies prepared in conjunction with the proposed arts centre in Kidderminster which, we understand, is no longer being promoted by officials within our area.

The beneficial effect of such centres has been many times demonstrated up and down the country.

Benefits include simple enjoyment; employment opportunities; an improved area economy; increased civic pride and a higher profile for Wyre Forest; promotion of excellence; and the reduction of social alienation and exclusion.

These were pointed out to the Arts Partnership by enthusiastic officials elsewhere during a series of on-site studies.

We feel it is within the remit of Wyre Forest District Council to demand that the developers include the above.

The more visitors who area attracted to a better facility, the more tourism and accommodation providers both within the town and in the outside area can benefit, bringing more prosperity to the district.

IVAN KNEZOVICH

Chairman

Wyre Forest Leisure & Tourism Network