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Discover’s new gateway marks start of work
to make Stratford High St fit for 2012
11 February 2010
A £300k scheme to transform the front entrance
of the Discover Children’s Story Centre has received the green
light from council planners forming part of plans by the London
Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC) to revitalise
Stratford High Street in time for the London 2012 Games.
The LTGDC funded development will mean that
Discover, an arts and learning charity, will have its front door
right on the High Street, providing easier access for its visitors
and revealing for the first time the magical story world inside.
With over 50,000 families and school children visiting the
centre every year the completed redevelopment will also have a new
café, play and learning areas. The front entrance has been designed
by award winning architects Carmody and Groarke, who also designed
the 7 July Memorial.
The new exterior is part of LTGDC’s wider
plans to invigorate a 1 mile stretch of the High Street and
redevelop the old Stratford Station building, improving public
spaces in the area. Overall the £10 million investment aims to
breathe fresh life into the High Street, creating attractive new
public spaces for existing residents and visitors and a fitting
‘gateway’ to the London 2012 Games and east London. Work on the
rest of Stratford High Street is set to begin in March.
Sally Goldsworthy, Discover’s Director said:
“We are delighted that we have been given planning permission and
the funding to create a fantastic new front door, enabling more
people to see in to experience our magical story world. A revived
High Street will help more families from Newham and surrounding
boroughs to benefit from our excellent resources.”
Peter Andrews, Chief Executive of the London
Thames Gateway Development Corporation said:
“Past developments in the area have turned
their back on the High Street creating a bleak environment that’s
both a discouragement to pedestrians and an embarrassing eyesore to
east Londoners. Our aim is to breathe new life into the High Street
making it a place which residents and visitors alike will want to
use and wander along as well as being a great international
advertisement for east London and the London 2012 Games.
Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham, said: "The
2012 Games is providing us with a great opportunity to transform
this part of East London and to bring long term benefits for local
people. High Street 2012 is a welcome project that will improve an
important route through the area. The Discover Centre scheme is one
that will help bring not only much-needed physical change but will
give young people in particular a real connection to the excitement
of the 2012 Games."
To celebrate the opening of Discover’s new
front entrance there will a free day on 10 April with special
guests, face painting and stories.
END