Aspire - Contemporary art exhibition by artist Wayne Warren The Commandery, Worcester
Aspire arrives at The Commandery, Worcester on 1 April until 3 September 2023
8 works on the themes of aspiration, dreams and ambition placed at significant points
Free family workshops with artist Wayne Warren on Easter Monday 10 April
Butterflies and angels are taking over The Commandery in an exhibition filled with hope and aspiration. Aspire opens at The Commandery on Saturday 1 April and runs until Sunday 3 September 2023.
The artworks have been created by contemporary artist Wayne Warren in response to the beautiful Commandery building and it’s amazing one-thousand-year history. The artworks represent aspirations, dreams and ambitions.
Visitors can follow the trail of artworks around The Commandery, take a selfie in front of huge angel wings in the historic Great Hall and enjoy a programme of wing-inspired family activities over the Easter holidays, including a workshop with the artist himself on Monday 10 April.
Situated in the heart of Worcester, The Commandery has been a medieval monastic hospital, a Tudor home and a 1950s print works, but is most well-known for being the headquarters of the Royalist army during the Battle of Worcester in 1651 – the deciding battle of the English Civil War.
The artworks include Golden Wings, situated in the building’s beautiful Great Hall; and Growth, a new artwork commissioned especially for the exhibition at The Commandery, featuring gold leaf on oak leaves and acorns, situated upon a stool made of wood from the Boscobel Oak, purported to be the tree King Charles II hid in when fleeing from the Battle of Worcester.
Wayne Warren’s work has been exhibited at Worcester Cathedral and internationally in Hong Kong, Beijing, New York and Venice. Wayne says of his show at The Commandery: “My work reflects my thoughts and feelings about the 1,000 years of history contained within the fabulous building.”
Commandery Manager Rachel Robinson says: “It is fascinating to have The Commandery’s history interpreted in new ways and to shed light on its many layers of history. We hope visitors will enjoy finding the artworks around the building, taking their angel wing selfies, and having fun with the family activities.”
The Commandery is open Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm and Sunday 11am – 3pm. It is also open Bank Holiday Monday 10 April 10am – 5pm and there are workshops at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Normal admission applies, no extra fee for the exhibition. Small fee for the family activities. For more information, please visit www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱!
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The new exhibition From the Cornish Coast to the Malvern Hills arrives at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum
Saturday 4 March – Saturday 1 July 2023 | Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum
Monday to Saturday 10.30am – 4.30pm
FREE entry
The new exhibition, From the Cornish Coast to the Malvern Hills, arrives Saturday 4th March until 1st July 2023, celebrating Worcestershire’s influence on British Impressionism Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum and the links between Worcestershire and the Newlyn School of artists who were pivotal in this magical moment of British art in the nineteenth and twentieth century. Including paintings by Stanhope Forbes, Dame Laura Knight and Elizabeth Forbes. Camille and Lucian Pissarro represent the influence of French Impressionists. As well as, two works by Dame Laura Knight recently acquired for the Worcester City Collection. The artworks were purchased with support from Art Fund, the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, Worcestershire Heritage, Art & Museums Charity and kind donations from Art Gallery & Museum Members. Dame Laura Knight lived and painted in Malvern and the town and hills become very dear to her, influencing her work.
For more information visit
www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk
Worcester City Runs Breakfast Club with the legendary Paula Radcliffe MBE
Join us at the @worcesterrun Breakfast Club: a networking event with a twist that give's you all the information you need to get involved with the Worcester City Run.
BREAKFAST
CLUB
FRIDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 2023
8AM - 10AM
Jog, walk or just enjoy a coffee whilst networking at Wildwood.
Take it at your own pace.
Fancy a jog or walk? You will be joined by athletics legend’s Steve Cram CBE and Paula Radcliffe MBE as you make your way along the river path to the marina before circling back for breakfast and a hot drink.
Chat to Steve, Paula and the team about how you can get involved in our exciting plans for 2023.
Register your BID Business by contacting us at info@worcesterbid.com
Register your BID Business by contacting us at info@worcesterbid.com
New grant available for Worcester retail businesses
Worcester City Council has launched a new grant to help businesses and organisations which are either moving into empty premises or looking to make improvements to their existing building.
The Retail Enhancement Grant will help fund interior renovations as well as improving the frontages and accessibility of empty and occupied retail units across Worcester. The grant is available for units used for purposes such as retail, hospitality, leisure, personal care services or provision of financial services.
Businesses moving into an empty unit can apply for a grant of up to £12,000 towards the cost of refurbishment. For those already in a retail unit, there is a grant of up to £6,000 for improvements to the internal appearance, frontage or access. Businesses must be able to make a ‘cash match’ contribution of at least 50% towards the costs of the proposed renovations.
The project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The Retail Enhancement Grant is part of Worcester City Council’s allocation of £2.96m.
The scheme is designed to encourage longer-term occupation of vacant retail premises and improvements to existing shops to complement the wider investment in public realm and help ensure Worcester remains an attractive place to visit.
Cllr Robyn Norfolk, vice chair of Worcester City Council’s Place & Economic Development sub-committee, said: “This is a great new initiative which will help retail and other similar businesses across Worcester. Increasing occupancy of vacant premises and enhancing the appearance of existing shops should help attract footfall and ensure that the city centre and other shopping areas remain vibrant and attractive places to visit.”
The new Retail Enhancement Grants build on the Property Enhancement Grants that were delivered through the Future High Street Fund for properties in The Cross and Angel Street. However, the new grant is for retail properties anywhere within Worcester.
For further information or to request an application pack, contact the Worcester City Council Economic Development team either by email economy@worcester.gov.uk or call 01905 722106.
Could you be our new Safer Streets Officer?
We are hiring!
Worcester Business Improvement District are hiring a Safer Streets Officer to work within the Worcester city centre.
Could you be a good fit? The role would see you working closely with our city partners including West Mercia Police, Worcester City Council, Worcester Cares, and businesses to deter crime and anti-social behaviour with a primary focus on safer streets. You would be a visual and consistent presence in the city, sending a clear message that we have zero tolerance for crime of any sort in the city centre.
If this sounds like you, please read the full job description here:
PRESS HERE FOR THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION
To apply, please email a CV and cover letter to BID CEO, Sam McCarthy: sam.mccarthy@worcesterbid.com
PRESS HERE FOR THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION
Worcester’s Close the Door campaign helps businesses stay Open4Business
Worcester is staying Open4Business by closing its doors: a new Close the Door campaign is in full force. The joint initiative from Worcester BID, supported by Worcester City Council, is set to save businesses money and reduce the city’s contribution to CO2 emissions, simply by shops closing their doors whilst trading during winter periods.
At a time when energy bills are at an all-time high, Worcester BID is helping businesses with simple energy-saving techniques that are being promoted to customers and shoppers through simple initiatives such as informative window and door stickers. These stickers are being distributed to businesses across the city centre and are designed to prompt customers to close doors behind them.
Sam McCarthy, CEO of Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) said, “Businesses within the city are open for business and to support with the increasing energy bills, they will be keeping their doors closed this winter period. We encourage shoppers not to be put off by the closed doors and to understand that this supports the businesses to remain trading by reducing additional costs.”
Whilst this is a simple technique to keeping the heat in and reducing energy usage, research from Cambridge University found that shops that keep doors open consume twice as much electricity as businesses which do not. Businesses that close their doors save up to 10 tonnes of CO2 and can cut their annual energy bills by up to half. This is the equivalent of driving 25,000 miles – the distance from Worcester to our twin city of Le Vesinet, France, and back, nearly 30 times!
This simple Close the Door initiative will help businesses save money on their energy bills and reduce the city’s consumption of energy, leading to lower CO2 emissions.
Worcester City Council’s Councillor Louis Stephen suggested the scheme and said, “The cost-of-living crisis, caused by high energy bills, is affecting local businesses just as much as Worcester residents. The open for business initiative is a great way for customers to support local shops by understanding why business doors are closed during the cold winter months.”
Help support your high street this winter by closing the doors of businesses displaying the sticker.
If you would like a window sticker for your business. Please contact Worcester BID via info@worcesterbid.com
NEW - City Council Grants for Business Improvements
Worcester City Council has just introduced a new grant for retail properties. The grants are funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and are part of Worcester City Council’s allocation of £2.96m.
If you have a retail unit, you could be given financial support towards making improvements to internal appearance, frontages, and accessibility of empty and occupied retail units across Worcester.
Businesses/organisations can apply for a maximum of £12,000 towards costs of occupying a previously empty retail unit or £6,000 for improvements to internal appearance, frontages, and/or the accessibility of occupied units. Eligible expenditure can include building works, premises refurbishment, fixtures and fittings, signage, installation of ramps and other associated costs to either bring the empty unit back into use or improve the internal appearance, frontage, or accessibility of occupied units.
Businesses/organisations must be able to make a ‘cash’ match funding contribution of at least 50% towards the cost of the proposed project/investment.
Applications are encouraged to be submitted as soon as possible.
Please note that you may be contacted regarding your application and changes.
Please contact the Economic Development team on either 01905 722106 or email economy@worcester.gov.uk for more information.
Student Discounts Galore!
Are you a student? Make the most of your student card in the city centre at the following places
FOOD
M&S – 25% off food on the go (UNIDAYS)
Zizzi (High Street) – 20% off Monday-Thursday (UNIDAYS)
Yo Sushi – 20% off when you dine in (UNIDAYS) – Limited Time Only Check UNIDAYS Website for up to date details
Pizza Express – 30% Off Food Sunday – Thursday (UNIDAYS)
Bills – 20% Off total bill Sunday to Thursday (UNIDAYS)
Greggs – Free Sausage Roll, Vegan Sausage Roll or Sweet Treat – When you buy any cold Sandwich Deal! (Show student card in store)
Hotel Chocolate – Redeem a 10% student discount with Student Beans. Hotel Chocolat Discount Codes | Voucher Codes
BEAUTY
Boots – Boots offer students a 10% discount. The discount is valid online and in-store, with a Boots Advantage Card. Present your valid student ID in-store to have your student discount linked to your Advantage Card.
House Of Fraser – 10% off year round with Student Discount Apps. See more here: Student Discounts | Exclusive Student Offers | House of Fraser
Superdrug – Superdrug offer students a 10% discount. The discount is available in-store only, and you’ll need to present your student ID alongside a Superdrug Health & Beautycard.
*Superdrug’s Online Doctor is also providing a 10% discount for students on all products and services with the code: STUDENT10
Perfume Shop – 15% Off (UNIDAYS) Student Discount | The Perfume Shop
The Body Shop – The Body Shop offers a 15% student discount on all products, so you can treat yourself to your self-care favourites without breaking the bank. (UNIDAYS)
FASHION
Accessorize – (High Street): Get 10% off full price items. (UNIDAYS)
House Of Fraser – 10% off year round with Student Discount Apps. See more here: Student Discounts | Exclusive Student Offers | House of Fraser / (Student discount on Beauty Products | The Body Shop®)
Moss -10% Student Discount at Moss – Student Discount (moss.co.uk)
Jingo (Pump Street): 10% off full price all year round.
Pandora – 50% off any order over £99 with Student Beans (account required).
HAIR
Avant Garde Hair & Beauty – 50% off your first visit, 25% off your second visit and 15% off every visit after (Get the discount here Student Discount Hereford & Worcester Hair & Beauty Salons (agsalons.com))
Inspiration Hair – £10 off your first visit (Hair Salon New Client Discount Voucher – Worcester (inspirationhair.co.uk))
OTHER
Paperchase – Paperchase offer students a 10% discount.
Smiggle – Get the 10% off Smiggle student discount code with your first purchase & Newsletter Sign Up.
Cornish Bakehouse – 10% off (Check offer before purchase as varies).
Waterstones – 10% (Show your card at the till).
The Kiln (Copenhagen Street) – Enjoy a student/graduate discount (50% discount for 6 months).
Worcester Tourist Information Centre (High Street): Make the most of a 10% offer on all gifts.
Museum Of Royal Worcester – Student entry reduced rate = £6.50
Take a look at NUS / TOTUM and UNiDAYS, alongside other ways to look out for student discounts like Student Beans and StudentDiscount.co.uk.
Peter Cooks Bread joins the Hopmarket
There is a new venue just about to officially launch in the Hopmarket and they want to celebrate their opening with you!
So what is Peter Cooks Bread?
"Our key principle is ‘Sharing the Joys of Real Bread’ and this means bread with no improvers, using organic flours, wholegrains, and mostly wild yeast in our breads. Nearly all our breads have themselves won great taste awards or worlds baking awards with the depth of flavour resulting from our 3 day fermentation process. Our pastry products are also made with the same focus on flavour and texture making our pastries stand out from the crowd. Once you have tried one of our pastries it is hard to accept anything less.
At this time of year we also have our Christmas specials including our own Stollen with fruit soaked in Chase Marmalade vodka, which comes in either bite size or loaf. Our own mince pies using our shortcrust pastry, with our Peter Cooks Bread mincemeat, with either the classic pastry top or our own delicious frangipane."
The Hopmarket Peter Cooks Bread launch party and free tasting event will take place this Saturday (10th December) between 10am and 12 noon. Pop down to see celebrity chef and presenter Marcus Bean Chef, opening the sparkling new shop at 3 The Hop Market, Worcester, WR1 1DG.
Definitely not one to be missed.
