Falmouth BIDS is tackling a problem that has prevented shoppers from coming to Falmouth.
Many visitors have complained that they could walk from one end of town through the shops to the other end without encountering a single public seat to rest.
The lack of seating is particularly difficult for families with young children, elderly relatives and disabled people. It makes the journey carrying bags of shopping difficult for many families, who have written to the Town Manager to say they will shop elsewhere. Encouraging shoppers is seen as a priority for the town and as a result Falmouth BIDS has commissioned two unique benches using traditional materials such as wood and local granite.
The benches were designed and built by the Falmouth based design company, Mor. They will be situated strategically in spaces that need visual improvement in the next few weeks. The exciting designs also incorporate the names of artists’ who have played an important role in the rich artistic heritage of The Fal area. One bench features the names of Henry Scott Tuke, Charles Napier Hemy and John Singer Sargent and the other bench includes Henry Moore, Max Ernst and Man Ray. All of these international artists have a strong connection with the town.
Commented the Mayor of Falmouth, Councillor Geoffrey Evans: “It is important that Falmouth provides seating for local people and visitors alike. It is good that these benches are individual and not just ordered from a catalogue like every other town in Britain. I like the way the designers are celebrating Falmouth’s rich artistic heritage by honouring artists such as Tuke and Hemy, as well as using traditional Cornish granite.”
February 2010