City of Culture and new theatre to put Swindon ‘back on the map’ says Culture Secretary
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy visited Wyvern Theatre and Swindon Wildcats.
The contribution of Swindon, and places like it, to British culture has been ignored, overlooked underfunded and disrespected for too long, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy believes.
And she said that the town’s bid for UK City of Culture Status, and the new theatre and concert hall the council wants to build with £20m of government funding announced last week, will play a huge role in helping regenerate the town centre.
With important local elections less than seven weeks away, Ms Nandy was in Swindon to discuss the council’s bid for the City of Culture and the government’s backing of its plans for a new theatre and entertainment venue on the old bus station site in the heart of the town centre.
Asked why that should be a priority for the cash-strapped council, she said: “People are clamouring for more things to do and places to go, to be part of the community and do the things that make life worthwhile."
“I’ve just come from Bradford, the most recent UK City of Culture. It’s brought the community together to create a vibrant, diverse offer."
“It’s helped young people realise they can get involved and can have a career in the creative industries.”
And the Culture Secretary said having a vibrant arts and entertainment sector would have a wider benefit: “It’s a virtuous cycle, whether Swindon’s bid for the City of Culture is successful or not, it can help kickstart the regeneration of the town centre."
“If that and the new entertainment venue, which we are proud to back as a government brings people into the town, that will help support the cafes, shops and pubs and businesses.”
Ms Nandy said she wanted the thought that Swindon doesn’t have a strong cultural sector to change: “For too long the cultural contribution of Swindon has been overlooked, underfunded and disrespected.”
“A lot of these things have been happening in Swindon. There’s an amazing mural exhibition I saw when driving here today."
“Swindon has always made a very strong contribution and has more of a contribution to make.”
Following up on her point of the town being overlooked, Ms Nandy said: “Swindon has its story to tell."
“There is a proud but unknown history of the mural movement going back to Victorian times, but a lot of people who live here, who grew up here, don’t know about Swindon’s past.
“We want that to change – there’s so much to be proud of, and this is about people finding their self-confidence and asserting their right to be part of our national story.
“We want this to put Swindon firmly back on the map.”
Before visiting the Wyvern Theatre for a tour and discussions with theatre staff and councillors, Ms Nandy, the MP for her hometown of Wigan, visited the Swindon Wildcats, celebrating their National Ice Hockey League win, at the Link Centre in west Swindon.
Asked by the Local Democracy Reporter what help the government might be able to provide councils and communities like Swindon to protect sports facilities, such as the Abbey Stadium, the speedway track where the owner’s recent application for more than 100 houses was refused, the Culture Secretary said both housing and leisure facilities were crucial.
She said: “We make no apologies for prioritising the building of houses across the country. There is a chronic shortage of social and affordable housing, and people in rented accommodation find it incredibly difficult to get on the housing ladder."
“But there is a real requirement for sports venues, grassroots facilities, and arts venues. People want those things to be part of the mix."
“The Labour council here has heard that and while they have to balance those things, but the work they’re doing to get the new entertainment venue and to get homes built shows it believes Swindon can have both."
Asked who her favourite Swindon artist or performer is, Ms Nandy said “I’m of the generation which loved Billie Piper. I grew up with ”Because We Want To” and “Honey to the Bee”.