The Wynd

Please come to our exhibition, we are in The Arcade all week. We had over 100 on Saturday. We would like to hear your views. Does anyone have any thoughts on the options?

I think it is a good idea, as mooted earlier, to have a mural here. Students from the college could do this with a 'garden city and people' theme?

I believe the Arcade is proving to be an attractive and popular area.

The row of shops and building facing Morrisons would benefit from a 'facelift'.

My preferences for the Wynd now are 1st - option 2 maybe with some of option 1, then option 1 and last - option 3.

I believe Letchworth has unique old buildings that we should keep and value.

I would like to see something that attracts folk to the Gallery area. At present it is cold and draughty although those running stalls there are making valliant efforts. Maybe more clement weather will improve the situation. People, in general, seem unaware what is there. Could music playing attact folk and indicate that there is something going on??

The paddling pool area is missed by young families. When this area is open there will be more car parking.

Last minute again for my comments!

It's a real pity, but the Arcade, despite the architecture, always appears desultory, sad, even. In the old photos of the 20s, it didn't seem much to fare much better.
The transistion between its decorative interior and the approach from down at heel Wynd, or dowdy pub and cafe, is severe - pedestrians, or shoppers tip toe reverently, almost not daring to breathe too hard in case the place evaporates. So, this lack of robustness, the lethargy about the place, is transferred to the small retailers, who hope to energise the area; alas they are simply subsumed by lassitude. Perhaps this is the problem, as once identifed by A A Gill - Letchworth lacks energy, and possibly imagination. What a shame, when you realise what an inheritance it has.