The recently renovated Pitt Street in St Helier is a perfect example of getting it right
MULTIPLE studies highlight the direct relationship between our living and working environments and our mental and emotional well-being. Perception of living in a beautiful place is strongly correlated to happiness – more so than safety and cleanliness – surely we should be pouring energy into creating vibrant town centres that uplift and inspire and are filled with green spaces and beauty?
- So where are we going wrong?
I have been working in the signage industry for over 25 years and have seen first hand how signage can either enhance or devalue a public space. Great signage has the ability to transform an otherwise anonymous looking building, whilst poor, cheap signage can have the opposite effect. We have experts eager to point business owners in the right direction and a planning department able to provide guidelines. Yet most of our town streets (with a few exceptions) seem tired and lacking in vibrancy and beauty.
- So what can we do about it?
I’m not a town planner but there are certain things I have noticed about cities admired for their attractiveness such as Amsterdam or Paris. They have similar qualities and are creative and surprising yet also present patterns of balance and order.
A mixture of narrow streets and wide avenues, parks and squares invite you to explore, leading you through a flow of landscapes. You experience the intimacy and mystery of narrow streets that lead you out into the vibrancy of public gathering places.
Trees line the streets bringing nature, movement and texture and historic buildings are valued, nurtured and restored (with funding often available for business owners), whilst new buildings fit sleekly into their surroundings, complementing the architecture of the overall area.
Shop fronts are creative and there is a mix of mainstream and flourishing independent retailers which brings diversity and creativity, and creating a sense of wonder.
- St Helier has some wonderful nooks …
Look at Market Street and how brands like Jack Wills have respected and enhanced a traditional building. For me, the recently renovated Pitt Street in St Helier is a perfect example of getting it right. The old buildings and shop fronts have been carefully restored to honour the beauty of craftsmanship and heritage.
The feelings awoken are reminiscent of those experienced in cities where a simple walk down the street is capable of lifting your spirits.
I am personally proud of Jersey’s history and there was a time when our own town felt like those I have described.
Our ancestors would pass by local businesses and shipyards which generated an energy and vibrancy because work was on display and skills were witnessed first hand. These days offices go up, trading estates are built and although I am sure creative work is happening, it’s all behind closed doors and we rarely get a glimpse.
That’s one reason why we all like visiting markets when we travel because they are open and interactive and you get to view the many colours and textures of produce for sale and artisans creating things.
We love to visit streets filled with activity and diversity that are full of life and you feel connected to others. Modern towns hide life away and it’s no wonder so many people suffer from feelings of isolation and separation.
Looking up at some of the buildings around St Helier we certainly have buildings with character, however many have been left to deteriorate and need decorating. I wonder why we seem so lacking in political will and drive when it comes to making our town beautiful.
We have been gifted with an attractive island, one with stunning coastlines and beaches and our town should reflect this beauty and sense of pride and be a hub of activity, vibrancy and life.
So let us create a movement for change, and fill our streets with vibrancy and life once again. Let’s work our way towards creating a town filled with beautiful shop fronts, quality signage and inviting green spaces that make people want to linger and socialise.
Let’s breathe life back into our town centre and make it a place where people love to live and work and visitors will want to visit over and over again.
