England’s heritage is it’s ‘Golden Egg’, and Wells is a nest par excellence.
We are blessed with examples of architecture spanning a millennium, a street pattern which has changed little in that time and cultural excellence which is maintained and continually expanded.
But Wells is now set in a very different context – one of cars, fast food, the internet and a much larger population than it was originally built for. The last hundred years or so has also seen dramatic changes in the livelihoods which once sustained the City.
To cut a long story short, the City is now dependent on the visitor economy – driven essentially by heritage and culture. Residents move here to enjoy this perfect combination, companies operate from here because of it and visitors come from around the world to enjoy it. Part of this heritage comes from the history of the church, whose buildings still dominate the city-scape, and whose presence still draws in the crowds.
But narrow streets, a limited boundary and the necessary protection of the fabric can constrain the experience of residents and visitors. Short visits, from large numbers, spending little, can be detrimental to the very place we enjoy so much. But potentially negative impacts can, with proactive management, be turned into positives. A win for visitors and a win for residents and the local economy – retailers, hospitality providers and council coffers.
Destination Management has been the tool employed by tourism and economic development professionals for many years, but reduced local authority budgets has led to less proactive management (not only in terms of tourism of course). Wells, when compared to its neighbouring towns, is not top of the needy list for any local government department.
However ….
We are a resourceful community, with many skilled, experienced people, with the will to make things better. Together we might:
· enhance the visitor experience
· improve the residents’ experience
· encourage high skilled employment
· sustain local businesses
· encourage young people to stay
· reduce traffic impact (including pollution and its impact on the built heritage)
· improve our impact on the green environment (including the water that made the City)
· mitigate climate change
· ‘spread the load’ more evenly by working with nearby destinations
the list could be endless.
Every long journey starts with a small step; ours could be to work more closely together – formal and informal groups, institutions, authorities, individuals – to identify goals and to plan activities to achieve them.
Businesses and organisations have their own ‘bottom lines’, but surely working together can only improve them over time?
There is ‘good practice’ out there to be shared; we do not have to re-invent the wheel. We may learn from other places, which might not be Wells – but may have similar challenges!
The Civic Society, as guardian of the heritage, is well placed to facilitate the coming together of all interested parties to make this happen and will endeavour to do so.
CW 22 11 24 Chair of Wells Civic Society
This opinion piece is reflects the views of the writer in an individual capacity and does not reflect a policy position of the Wells Civic Society. Members of the Society are encouraged to contribute personal opinion pieces for consideration for publication on the Society’s website or other media.
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