THINK of High Town as the retail day winds down. Think a slow lapse into lifelessness after eight hours of 'bustle'.
Here's the city's premier space, home to a range of activities, well connected to its surrounds.
Yet after six it's over.
That's what BDP is thinking. As well as what to do about it.
The solution is seen in a 'simple paved space' both attractive and flexible to activities that draw visitors back in. Somewhere to send them off into other parts of the city afterwards.
Three concepts are being considered, all with the common theme of removing clutter, re-organising street furnishings, improving paving and enhancing lighting.
The first would highlight areas for new outdoor cafes and identify locations for planned - and spontaneous - performance.
The second envisages the installation of a semi-permanent structure, put up in High Town over the summer months and perhaps re-erected over Christmas.
This enclosure would be extendable and provide all-weather protection to events such as markets, craft fairs and exhibitions. It would be designed to respect patterns of movement and circulation to ensure that, when in place, day-to-day life went on unhindered.
The third approach sees the re-introduction of a permanent building. Not like the old market hall that once stood on site, but somewhere offering a sequence of spaces designed for differing character and use.
There would, for instance, be an exhibition area or, perhaps, a caf with a high level terrace.
Many variations on this theme are possible. The exhibition allows all to be explored.
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