3:00pm Monday 25th March 2013
A NEW £10,000 initiative to bring more energy and vibrancy to the centre of Malvern is gathering support.
Pulse Great Malvern aims to bring more local people and visitors into the heart of Malvern by trading on the town’s reputation for artistry and entertainment and taking advantage of the wealth of talented performers living in the shadow ofthe hills.
Its manifesto promises innovative art and performances in unexpected places, with everything from flashmobs and ‘yarn bombings’ to street entertainers, musical performances and pavement painting on the cards.
It hopes to further develop and promote established festivals and events in Malvern, while introducing new ones.
Pulse has been backed by £10,000 of Portas Project money – awarded last year after the town missed out on a high street regeneration scheme backed by ‘Queen of Shops’ Mary Portas.
Town centre trader Chris Marks, chairman of Pulse Great Malvern, received an enthusiastic reception when he outlined the project’s vision at Malvern’s annual town meeting onTuesday.
He said the project aimed to tackle some of the “key issues” facing Great Malvern, including a lack of footfall, insufficient marketing and promotion and competition from out-of-town shopping centres and the internet.
Pulse is looking for other community organisations to back its efforts and one major player in the town has already expressed a desire to come on board.
During the town meeting, Ralph Madden, a member of the trust board at Malvern Theatres – which attracts an estimated 250,000 visitors to the town every year – said the venue would like to play its part.
As well as the support of other organisations, Pulse Great Malvern needs the support and enthusiasm of local people.
The first Pulse event is on Easter Saturday, March 30.
Alongside an extended arts and food market, there will also be free drop-in Easter craft sessions for children from 10.30am until 2.30pm on Belle Vue Island.
This is on top of the great Easter egg hunt organised by local traders with the chance to win a giant Easter bunny (entry forms from Malvern Tourist Information Centre).
You can keep up to date with events by texting ‘Pulse'
to 60002 or go online to pulsegreatmalvern.co.uk.
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