TALL wooden chairs that overlook the sea, press up benches for people to sit on and exercise ‘loungers’ are amongst the bespoke furniture pieces being installed along Cleethorpes’ North Prom.
The new and unique furniture is being introduced as part of the wider cultural and arts project, which has been funded by the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund, (CCF) secured by CoastNEL and supported by North East Lincolnshire Council. It also includes the Prom’s new ‘walking art gallery’.
The 21 individual wooden pieces have been designed by award-winning specialists Freshwest to encourage people to take part in a range of activities along the prom – from exercise, to sitting for a chat, or for those who simply want to take in their surroundings. The timber and stainless-steel construction is durable with the high-quality finish taking account of the seafront setting.
Groundworks to secure the pieces in place are due to start later this month with the large concrete planters removed to be replaced by the furniture. Distance markers are also being put in along the Prom, to encourage its use for fitness, running or walking events.
Simon Macro, Freshwest co-founder, explained how his visits to the resort and chats with various people there had coloured the work that had been done.
“We were challenged to create something robust that was unusual and engaging. The furniture is designed as a family of objects, each with their own character and personality. We also set about designing the pieces with exercise in mind. That was part of the brief and we really wanted to embrace it,” he said.
“When we visited Cleethorpes, we noticed how people were using the promenade to exercise but what also struck us was the beautiful vista and we wanted to make the most of that view,” added Simon.
“These are not designed like the equipment you see in parks though, which are purely for exercise, they are very much multi-use – we want to encourage visitors to both exercise, play and relax along the prom,” said Simon.
The project is being managed by ENGIE, the regeneration partner of North East Lincolnshire Council whose deputy leader and Head of Regeneration Cllr John Fenty said: “We are sure that everyone will be really pleased with the finished result, which will provide a real talking point and another reason for people to visit the North Prom. Wouldn’t it be great to see a whole host of events taking place along there?
“This is yet another example of the significant investment that is being put into Cleethorpes, as we continue to develop it as the leading east coast resort,” he added.
As reported, the shutter art is now in all in place, which stretches from Browns Café right up to the Ebb and Flow premises. Meanwhile work on other cultural elements along the Prom, including a new ‘lumination’ display and the White Palm, is progressing.
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