Artworks in Wick lanes will make town centre ‘more appealing’

Artworks installed in Wick lanes will make the town centre “a more inviting and appealing place”, according to Highland Council leader Raymond Bremner.

Five new works by local artists Aimee Lockwood and Hannah Cambridge – inspired by images from the Johnston photographic collection and other aspects of local history and culture – have been put up in various lanes connected to High Street.

The community-led Wick Lanes Pocket Places is seen as a starting point for the town centre regeneration.

It is supported by funding from the Scottish Government through Sustrans Scotland’s Pocket Places programme and delivered in partnership with Highland Council and the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council.

Councillor Bremner, who represents Wick and East Caithness on Highland Council, said: “This initiative is a small project that will help brighten the lane areas of the town.

“The funding for this is ring-fenced and, as such, will go to areas that bid to secure it. If we don’t bid, it will go somewhere else.

“It’s nice to see this project completed. Local folk were engaged from the start, engaging people who live in and run businesses in Wick at the heart of the design process.

“I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has been involved – from coming to the first concept meetings, to taking part in the series of interactive workshops and consultation events. Their input has been key in the whole design process.

“The historic centre of our town will be made a more inviting and appealing place in a small way. It will improve the historic and heritage character of the lanes.”

The designs were produced following interactive workshops hosted by the two artists. The finished works are described by Sustrans as “durable, long-lasting interventions” that will “bring life and colour back to the area”.

The artworks have been plasma-cut from weathering steel.

They have been installed in Wares Lane (Back Bridge Street), John Street and the lane beside the Riverhouse bar and kitchen, formerly Wetherspoon’s, identified as Market Lane.

Along with the five artworks inspired by Wick’s heritage, benches and planters have been put in place and barriers removed to increase accessibility.

One of the benches has been provided at the top of Tolbooth Lane. Metal barriers at John Street have been replaced with a decorative one featuring Caithness dialect phrases.

Community council chairman Allan Farquhar said: “The Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council is delighted to partner with Highland Council and Sustrans in this initiative which will provide a starting point for the regeneration of our town centre.

“A phased transformation of the lanes with anticipated spin-off to other areas utilising street furniture, artworks and lighting designs sympathetic to our rich heritage and culture will complement other development initiatives currently in planning stages by both Highland Council and local community groups.”

Marion Eele, project lead, co-design, Sustrans Scotland, said: “We are thrilled to see work complete on this exciting project delivered in partnership with the local community, the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council and Highland Council.

“From the beginning of this project, the community told us they wanted to make the lanes feel safer, more inviting and accessible, as well as to see their heritage and historic character strengthened.

“The changes brought about by the local community will enable residents and visitors to the area to enjoy calm and vibrant spaces while celebrating the town’s rich heritage.

“Seeing the interventions come to life highlights the value of putting people at the heart of decisions on their local spaces.”

Final designs for the Wick Lanes Pocket Places project had been revealed at a drop-in event in January when Sustrans said the artworks would add “a little bit of magic and intrigue” to the High Street area.

Sustrans says its collaborative design process “puts the people who use the space at the heart of designing solutions to local issues”.

In response to suggestions during early community engagement for heritage-inspired public artworks in the lanes, the project partners collaborated with the Wick Society and commissioned the artists.

Decorative panels inspired by local knitting traditions will be installed in Wares Lane to act as bin screens for local businesses.

Sustrans is a charity that works for and with communities, promoting walking, wheeling and cycling “to create healthier places and happier lives for everyone”.

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