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Back to the future: Key figures in the town's past such as Sir Rowland Hill could play a role in its future.

KIDDERMINSTER has many features that give the town its identity. These include the people and the core businesses but also iconic images such as prominent buildings and structures, local tourist attractions and historical figures.

Other defining features include the River Stour and the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. The town also benefits from a vibrant alternative music scene.

There is more to Kidderminster than meets the eye and a new promotional brochure being prepared this year by Wyre Forest District Council and partners, will showcase the town's potential to possible investors in the town.

In the UK, the name of Kidderminster has for decades been directly linked with carpets. In its heyday nearly 20,000 residents were employed in carpet making.

There are now estimated to be no more than 2,000. These are startling statistics for a town with a population of 56,000 and they have direct consequences for the identity of the town in the future.

Kidderminster's economy is changing with new manufacturing and commercial businesses being developed.

For example, special effects for the last five Bond films have been made with materials supplied by a Kidderminster chemicals company. Tourism has also been a major growth sector with around 750,000 visitors travelling through Kidderminster every year to the Severn Valley Railway and West Midland Safari Park.

A focus on the image of Kidderminster has prompted a group of artists and designers from across the West Midlands to consider the role of the town's gateways.

Standing proud: The old Brintons pump house chimney at Weavers Wharf.

Under plans first proposed in January, a scheme to light up the key gateways in to Kidderminster is being developed. This will involve looking at prominent buildings and structures to see whether they might be suitable for lighting or projections.

Amongst those structures under consideration are the iconic silos of the former British Sugar site on the Stourport Road.

These identifiable landmark structures can be seen for miles around including from the Malvern Hills. Ideas on how to to use such unusual features for art and as a means of promoting the town and the development opportunity are currently being considered.

This could also maximise the contribution the silos make to the identity of the local area.

The chimney stack at Weavers Wharf is a similar landmark structure being considered, whilst key buildings on the approach down Comberton Hill may also be used.

The designers also highlighted the impact of the town centre ring road which severs the centre from surrounding communities and presents a less-than- imposing first impression to passing visitors.

Radical plans may include a vision of the ring road as a dual carriageway street or boulevard rather than expressway' with new pedestrian crossings and a road lined by trees and attractive buildings. The plans are likely to start with proposals for the Blackwell Street and Comberton Hill islands.

There is going to be a significant investment in design and art as part of the development process.

Do you have any ideas? What do you think are the main opportunities and challenges facing the identity of Kidderminster?

10:34am Wednesday 23rd April 2008

Making tracks: Many Severn Valley Railway visitors start and finish their journey in Kidderminster.

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