“Absolutely amazing”. “Brilliant.” “Awesome work”. “Beautiful.” “Wow.” “Stunning.” “Love this.”
800+ reactions, 80+ comments in just 4 hours (and counting), the vast majority of them variations on those above.
It’s the latest wall art by the team we’re lucky to work with on our tackling highstreet vacancy project in Tredegar. This one is in another Blaenau Gwent town, Blaina.
But its appearance this week has emphasised the impact street art can have. For local social media threads which are so so often outlets for frustration with our places and what’s happening in them, this series of work – and similar in other town and city centres we’re working – seems to tap into another vibe (in keeping with the phrase that’s become the catchword for the latest government funding initiative), ‘Pride in Place’.
I’d love to get a sense of things that are driving HighStreetPositives on social and traditional media in your town or city centre…
It’s important to say that wall art maybe isn’t going to work everywhere and those who’ve tried it can share really valuable insights into the factors for success.
But what’s been so striking for us is how strong the positive reaction can be, and on a practical level how this looks to translate into those key metrics, increased footfall, extended dwell-time and giving a place something extra to make part of its ‘promote’ story. All in their way plus points in any effort to reduce empty unit numbers.
So thanks to Paul and to Karen for their thoughtful, inspirational team work and here’s to the next…!
