13 May 2010

World famous artist scrubs up in Bootle's Housing Market Renewal neighbourhood

Internationally acclaimed sculptor Antony Gormley has unveiled his latest artwork on the site of a former wash house in Bootle's housing market renewal zone.

The site, known locally as the Old Washeteria, is on the corner of Marsh Lane and Wordsworth Street in the Peel Knowsley neighbourhood.

Groundwork were commissioned to design and develop a public space on the site, following consultation with local residents.

The development features a series of striking cast iron bollards designed by Antony Gormley, best known for the Angel of the North in Gateshead and Another Place at Crosby Beach.

The improvement works were funded by Riverside housing association as part of the Housing Market Renewal Living Through Change programme, which supports residents as they live through a long term regeneration programme.

Alan Lunt, Neighbourhoods and Investment Programmes Director at Sefton Council, said: "It's great that something like this can be transformed from eyesore to eye-catching with the help of local residents and children. I think this is an excellent example of what can be achieved with a little money and a lot of commitment."

Riverside Project Manager Nick Stephenson said: "The site has been an eyesore since the laundrette shut down 15 years ago. Now it's attractive and easy to maintain."

Groundwork Landscape Architect Andy Percival said: "The residents said they wanted the space to be in keeping with the character of the local area so for example we used a blue brick sweeping line to reflect the docks."

To complete the improvements, Groundwork are working with children to design a pebble mosaic mural to reflect Bootle past, present and future.

NewHeartlands, the Merseyside housing market renewal pathfinder, has already placed art and creativity at the heart of its regeneration programme through the groundbreaking Art for Places programme. The multi-million pound project is a partnership between NewHeartlands, local authorities, local housing associations and the Arts Council England. It features an extensive consultation and engagement programme with residents, and a striking public art commission within the HMR areas of Sefton, Wirral and Liverpool.