LB First: What can art and community do for the town centre?

LB First column by Gennaro Borrelli, LB First chairman.

I recently recently came across artist Patricio Forrester, showing traders his latest plan for a mural in the area, at Deptford market. He first decided to brighten up the neighbourhood 25 years ago with a necklace and tie mural off Depford high street, and there have been many more works since, adding colour across south-east London thanks to his community interest company Artmongers.

With each piece rooted in the people who work, shop and live there, he says the murals are only part of the story. "The high street comes together as a community, everybody is surviving together. In the hard times people look after each other, and in the thriving times we share as well."

Connection and community lead the way when it comes to the funding of the murals with residents chipping in through crowd funding and local businesses donating the materials. The area was unkept and run down, a place where nobody wanted to hang around, now it attracts people who feel it's great and love it. Patricio adds, "When people come to Deptford they know they are going to get a bargain, they're going to get people talking to them and looking at the artwork is all part of the experience."

Mary Portas, the so-called 'Queen of Shops' said "What makes a good high street has changed, but it is always about a great real mix of stuff. It's not about what those high streets sell it's about the social interaction above all else. We've got an ageing population where you've got young children and families that want to connect, commune, meet. Particularly post Covid people have woken up to how important it is."

In the coming weeks the government is promising a 'turning point' for the nation's high streets with a new strategy set to be announced. While the government promises investment Deptford shows there is something else at play, community involvement and with Leighton Buzzard historically known for its strong sense of community and a growing group of artistic talent, perhaps now is the time to make more of both to showcase our town. For more information contact Gennaro on 01525 854273 and LB First Facebook page.