January 2002 - Relocation of the Charter Market to Harpur Square and St Paul’s Square
September 2003 - Completion of Harpur Street (Central) / Lime Street Environmental Improvement Scheme including full pedestrianisation during the hours of 10.30am and 3.30pm, contemporary seating and lighting, dance chimes, a whirlpool and a kaleidoscope
March 2004 - Launch of alternative speciality markets - Gourmet and Specialist Food & Flower and Garden Markets, to add to the appeal and vibrancy of the town centre
April 2004- 'Watermarking' Project (moveable bridge) one of four shortlisted entries to share £250,000 feasibility money
April 2004 - Official opening of the Tourist Information Centre, relocated to the Old Town Hall.
May 2004 - Castle Mound & Gardens Regeneration Scheme completed with a new pavilion, medieval garden, sculptures and seating, new lighting and footpaths together with improved signage
May 2004 - Ash Sakula awarded first prize in RIBA Competition for the Castle Lane redevelopment
October 2004 - New Street Maps installed around the town centre
March 2005 - Works completed on Civic Visitor Centre at 7a St. Paul’s Square, providing the integration of information and advisory services within a “one-stop” advice centre environment
March 2005 - Reconnaissance Ground Penetrating Radar surveys undertaken at Castle Lane to survey the extent of the remains of Bedford castle
March 2005 - Successful BID status achieved for Bedford Town Centre. Projects include the employment of Town Centre Rangers, Police Community Support Officers, extensions of Radiolink, Exclusion Order schemes, NiteNet Radio and the BAND scheme, CCTV cameras and hotspot cleaning
March 2005 - Bedfordshire chosen as the preferred site for the NIRAH project. Proposed development will contain a laboratory and research facility; two 15,000 sq.m water domes for fish; replica African Rift valley for reptiles; a cold water fish area; all housing around 200 exhibits and 30,000 species
April 2005 - First Antiques, Arts and Collectors Fair took place
July 2005 - Heritage Interpretation work completed at Castle Mound, including the installation of a town plan mosaic roundel, interpretation display panels, carving into stone slabs placed on the mound, plaques in the path system, metal rubbings and interpretation of the Ice House
October 2005 - Completion of the Park and Ride site at Progress Park
October 2005: Completion of St. Paul’s Square Improvement Scheme, including the provision of new public conveniences, the refurbishment of the wall and railings to St. Paul’s Church as well as a new vehicular access and car parking
February 2006: Obtained £9.1 million of GAF2 funding from the former ODPM for capital projects including: Bedford Station Quarter (£2m); Castle Lane development (£2.8m); Church Lane Redevelopment (£1.89m); Bedford Museum & Art Gallery (conditional offer letter obtained £2.5m)
July 2006 - Submission version published for the Town Centre Area Action Plan
September 2006: Contractors commenced environmental improvement works at St Cuthbert’s Church
April 2007: Work completed on The Bedford Room in the Tourist Information Centre featuring a four wall mural and hand held audio guide
July 2007: Work commenced on the refurbishment of Bedford Gallery to provide exhibition space and an off site storage unit
September 2007: Dry Plaza Water Feature installed in Church Square
March 2008: Outline Planning Application submitted for the Bedford Station Quarter development creating a new business quarter
July 2008: Works commenced on the refurbishment of the Howard Centre Shopping Mall include the replacement of the ceiling with new lighting and new contemporary finishes on the floor and walls
July 2008: Works commenced on the second phase of environmental improvements to Church Square and will include new paving, seating, lighting, removal of planters
July 2008: Phase 1 works completed at St Cuthberts Church including the reconstruction of the existing wall, repaving of the footpath in York stone and the removal of a number of trees
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