IN PICTURES: Chichester shoppers join the Crane Street celebrations

Residents and visitors took part in celebrations to mark the official opening of the new look Crane Street.
Opening ceremony of Crane Street, after the Chichester Bid. Andrew Finnamore (Chairman of the Chichester BID).  Pic Steve RobardsOpening ceremony of Crane Street, after the Chichester Bid. Andrew Finnamore (Chairman of the Chichester BID).  Pic Steve Robards
Opening ceremony of Crane Street, after the Chichester Bid. Andrew Finnamore (Chairman of the Chichester BID). Pic Steve Robards

Live music, a juggling jester and fancy dress were all featured in the opening party on Friday, April 1, as well as a ribbon cutting to show the completion of the Crane Street project.

Chichester Business Improvement District (Chi BID) and The Novium Museum hosted the event, and the project, which includes two new eye-catching crane sculptures, was undertaken to raise the profile of the Chichester street.

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Jeanette Hockley, events and marketing manager at the BID, said: “It was a fabulous event, it created a great footfall down the street.

Andrew Finnamore (Chairman of the Chichester BID).  Pic Steve RobardsAndrew Finnamore (Chairman of the Chichester BID).  Pic Steve Robards
Andrew Finnamore (Chairman of the Chichester BID). Pic Steve Robards

“The entertainment attracted a lot of people – we had buskers and a jester who was juggling on a unicycle and on stilts.

“The Novium Museum also had a table set up where the public could come along and try on fancy dress costumes that had been brought which gained a lot of interest.”

She added: “The businesses on the street took part in a raffle where they offered prizes for free to the public – in total we gave away 35 prizes.

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“The public who visited the shops that day were given a raffle ticket and then they won anything from a cake to vouchers for some of the businesses on the street.

BID supporters and Crane Street business Spires Bakery, Sue Gyde and Steve Lee.  Pic Steve RobardsBID supporters and Crane Street business Spires Bakery, Sue Gyde and Steve Lee.  Pic Steve Robards
BID supporters and Crane Street business Spires Bakery, Sue Gyde and Steve Lee. Pic Steve Robards

“It was brilliant that all the small businesses got involved.”

The street party ran from 10am until 4pm, and included hanging signs, new planters and sculptures which have been installed by the BID.

The ribbon was cut at 12.30pm by Chichester BID chairman, Andrew Finnamore.

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Mrs Hockley added: “The whole event was really to shout about Crane Street and to commemorate the official opening of the street.

Opening ceremony of Crane Street. Pic Steve RobardsOpening ceremony of Crane Street. Pic Steve Robards
Opening ceremony of Crane Street. Pic Steve Robards

“To have the sculptures of two cranes on either end of the street really makes it individual.

“It reflects the whole street because it is full of independent retailers who are bespoke in what they do.”

The Eastleigh Borough Council Public Arts Officer, Joanne Calcutt, designed the two cranes after being selected by Chichester BID to improve the street with the use of public art.

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She said: “After visiting Crane Street and meeting the owners of the businesses there it was clear that the design should draw more visitors into the street and profit the independent business stores.

Opening ceremony of Crane Street. Pic Steve RobardsOpening ceremony of Crane Street. Pic Steve Robards
Opening ceremony of Crane Street. Pic Steve Robards

“I’m thrilled to finally see the ideas I presented on paper now turned into these beautiful works of public art.

“It’s very exciting to think that my work is now out there for the people of Chichester, and visitors to the city, to enjoy and hopefully inspire them as well as helping to boost trade in the area.”

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