Hardscape paves the way for
Kidderminster public realm makeover
Kidderminster town centre’s public realm
has undergone a dramatic transformation
with a £2 million project to revitalise the
pedestrianised retail streets and create
two striking public squares. Hardscape
worked alongside IBI Group and Wyre
Forest District Council to bring the designs
for the ambitious regeneration project to
life with a paving scheme reflecting an
iconic stamp. fan pattern created a striking colour
contrast, picking out some of the stamps
detailing.
The scheme was a catalyst for the
regeneration of the pedestrianised
shopping district, which in recent years
had struggled to keep pace with the
adjacent retail development at Weaver’s
Wharf. The re-surfacing of the pedestrian retail
streets as well as the re-configuration of
a key highway route through the town
centre was also a key part of the project.
Phase one consisted of the creation of two
public squares, including Exchange Place,
which was designed around the form of
the Penny Black postage stamp to honour
Roland Hill, a local philanthropist who
founded the modern postal system and
whose statue stands tall in the centre of
the square.
The shape of the square was based on
the relative dimensions of the stamp and
Crystal Black granite was chosen as the
main paving material due to its durability,
making it ideal for high footfall areas.
Royal White granite setts laid in a Bogen
60 Landscape & Urban Design
Originally a traffic heavy junction, the
area was transformed into a pedestrian
friendly public space that has redefined
the beautiful Grade II listed Town Hall
building, which overlooks the square, as
the traditional heart of the town centre.
A gold, silver and bronze colour palette
was used by Hardscape throughout. This
was achieved using natural stone in the
form of black and white granites, Tower
sandstone as the ‘gold’ standard materials
in the main squares and with the Kellen
Breccia Tagenta range as the ‘silver’
standard for the retail streets and highway
route footpaths.
Hardscape worked closely with the client
team to help fulfil the brief to the finest
detail. Councillor Tracey Onslow, Wyre
Forest District Council cabinet member
for planning and economic regeneration,
summarised: “As part of the public realm
regeneration development, feedback
from residents reflected our aspiration to
highlight Kidderminster’s heritage, so this
formed part of the brief to the designers.
We felt that designing the Penny Black
imagery into the new paving was a striking
and lasting way of paying tribute to Sir
Rowland Hill and his contribution to our
postal system.”
With over ‘20 years’ experience’, technical
expertise and range of ethically sourced
hard landscaping materials, Hardscape
provides inspiration for landscape
architects for the urban landscape.
Schemes like Kidderminster demonstrate
the exciting possibilities in paving that can
be created to provide public realm spaces
that people can enjoy for years to come.
For more information visit
www.hardscape.co.uk