Community Shows Strong Vision for Yeovil's Future
Yeovil’s community has shared a bold and inspiring vision for the future of Glovers Walk. Results from the public survey, alongside insights from five Creative Consultation sessions facilitated by Yeovil Art Space and Love Yeovil in partnership with Somerset Council, are now under review. This comprehensive engagement process underscores a remarkable level of interest and participation from Yeovil’s diverse communities in shaping a transformative project for the town.
The public survey, which received over 400 responses, demonstrated strong engagement and enthusiasm from residents, while the five Creative Consultation sessions held in November and December 2024 brought together 30 local people from diverse community groups. Through creative activities, participants explored their ideal day at Glovers Walk, envisioning what the space might look like, identifying facilities that could enhance it, and imagining how the space could serve the community. This innovative approach has provided invaluable qualitative data to complement the survey findings. Commissioned by Somerset Council, Yeovil Art Space and Love Yeovil are proud to continue their collaboration with Dr. Cara Courage, a renowned placemaking expert, who is reviewing the results from both the survey and the consultation sessions. Dr. Courage’s expertise in placemaking and community-led development ensures that the aspirations of Yeovil’s community will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Glovers Walk.
Key Initial Findings
Preliminary analysis reveals several recurring themes and priorities:
• Cultural and Community Spaces: A strong desire for areas that foster creativity, cultural engagement, and community interaction.
• Green and Sustainable Development: Significant support for environmentally friendly designs that prioritise greenery and sustainability.
• Local Business Development: Interest in creating opportunities for local businesses to thrive in the redeveloped space.
• Safety and Security: Recognised as critical by both survey respondents and consultation participants, ensuring the area is welcoming and secure for all.
These insights highlight the community’s vision for a multifunctional space that reflects Yeovil’s identity while addressing practical needs and aspirations.
Next Steps
Dr. Cara Courage is now analysing the data to develop recommendations for the space’s “meanwhile use” – creative and immediate initiatives to activate the area while longer-term plans are developed. These findings will inform both short-term projects and the overall strategy for Glovers Walk, ensuring the redevelopment aligns with community expectations.
Thank You, Yeovil!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in the survey and consultation sessions. Y our input has been invaluable, and your passion for Yeovil’s future is truly inspiring. This project represents an exciting opportunity to create a transformative space that serves as a beacon of creativity, sustainability, and community spirit. We look forward to a bright 2025 in Yeovil!
To stay informed about the project’s progress, visit Yeovil Art Space’s website at yeovilartspace.uk/gloverswalk/ and Love Yeovil’s website at loveyeovil.com. Together, let’s transform our town, one idea at a time.
Yeovil Art Space is a charity organisation and a creative hub in Yeovil. It has a membership of more than 80 artists and creatives living in and around Yeovil. With a mission ‘Make Yeovil Creative’, Yeovil Art Space aims to bring art and creativity to the local community and visitors. Projects are run in partnership with organisations, businesses, groups and individuals to provide arts and cultural activities for people of all ages. Activities include participatory events, learning workshops, art exhibitions and showcasing work in other locations in the town.
Love Yeovil CIC is more than just a team; we're your local champions, dedicated to making Yeovil shine. We collaborate with local businesses, council officials, and volunteers to create unforgettable events, fostering community pride, and driving business success, showcasing Yeovil's potential, making Yeovil an even better place to live, work and visit.
Somerset Council's Yeovil Refresh regeneration programme represents major investment in Yeovil town centre with the Glovers Walk site an exciting blank canvas at its heart. Thanks to Future High Street Funding (FHSF), the area has been identified as one of four key town centre sites for the creation of mixed use development. Partners Love Yeovil and Yeovil Art Space have been commissioned to undertake a programme of community engagement to gain local views and ideas about how best to use the site in the short-term, as well as help to inform longer-term plans.
