BRAND new signage has been installed across Leamington town centre to guide the way for the thousands of visitors expected to flock in over the summer for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The bespoke wayfinding fingerposts and monoliths have been installed in key areas of the town centre including Old Town, Pump Room Gardens, Jephson Gardens, Holly Walk and Parade, with Victoria Park and the railway station to follow soon. They will direct visitors to local facilities and the best places to visit in Leamington and the surrounding area.
Coun Andrew Day, Leader of Warwick District Council (WDC), said: “An important aspect of sustainable transport is ensuring that people are able to locate and access places on foot or by bike. This wayfinding infrastructure enables the anticipated 5,000 visitors arriving into Leamington each day over the course of the games to find their way around using local landmarks in the town centre and discover the very best that our district has to offer.”
The fingerposts and monoliths were developed by WDC with help from Leamington Town Council, BID Leamington, Leamington History Group and Leamington Society, working with wayfinding consultants Whybrow Pedrola, manufacturers Blaze and installers Allworks to bring the signs to life.
Funding for the wayfinding signs was provided by the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), who have awarded the Council £1.8m for infrastructure improvements ahead of Victoria Park’s role as an official venue for Lawn Bowls and Para Bowls competitions during the Commonwealth Games in July.
Sarah Windrum, Chair of CWLEP said: “We are on the home straight to the start of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and these new signs are a great way to help visitors from all corners of the globe and the UK to find their way around Leamington, as well as make their trip even more memorable to go to places of interest around this fantastic part of the county.”
Coun Liam Bartlett, WDC spokesman for culture and tourism, added: “These wayfinding signs will remain in place after the Games and will provide a lasting legacy, helping guide future visitors around our wonderful town centre.”
