Two of Wolverhampton’s historic landmarks will be lit up after dark all-year round to make for a more vibrant and safer night out in the city centre.
As part of ‘Night Vision’ – the city centre’s new evening and night-time economy strategy – St Peter’s Gardens and Wolverhampton Art Gallery will be illuminated in celebration of their heritage and importance to the city’s identity.
The lighting will be installed by Wolverhampton Council in the summer, subject to Listed Building Consent and Lichfield Diocese faculty approval, with Studiotech now appointed as the contractor to carry out the works.
The scheme is being externally funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
It will deliver additional lighting in St Peter’s Gardens, illumination of the recently unveiled candle sculpture in the gardens, enhancing lighting around St Peters Church and Gardens footways, and architectural illumination of the art gallery facades with an LED colour-changing wash.
Councillor Chris Burden, the council’s Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “Our aim is to provide a safe, welcoming and diverse environment that helps people enjoy their evening in the city centre – supporting businesses and boosting our local economy.
“Through consultation with businesses, workers and residents to inform the evening and night-time economy strategy, people told us the city centre needs to be better lit.
“We’ve listened. By lighting up these vital heritage landmarks along our cultural corridor, we’ll be bringing light right into the heart of our city centre. Our city motto is Out of Darkness Cometh Light, and it’s time that we take that literally as well as metaphorically.”
The works at St Peter’s Gardens and the gallery will complement the continuing £19million improvement works taking place on Lichfield Street, Queen Square and Darlington Street, by creating a welcoming environment that deters anti-social behaviour.