Wolverhampton to light up city centre landmarks

St Peter’s Gardens and Wolverhampton Art Gallery will be lit up under council plans to make the city’s streets more vibrant after dark.

As part of City of Wolverhampton Council’s ‘Night Vision’ night-time economy strategy, the two landmark buildings will be illuminated in celebration of their heritage and importance to the city’s identity – work which the local authority says will compliment the £19m improvement works currently under way on Lichfield Street, Queen Square and Darlington Street.

Additional lighting will be installed in St Peter’s Gardens, with the recently unveiled candle sculpture in the gardens set to be lit up, enhancing lighting around St Peters Church and Gardens footways.

The facades of the nearby art gallery will also be illuminated with an LED colour-changing wash.

Contractor Studiotech has been appointed to carry out the works, which will begin this summer, subject to listed building consent.

Councillor Chris Burden, the council’s Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “Our aim is to provide a safe, welcoming and diverse environment that helps people enjoy their evening in the city centre – supporting businesses and boosting our local economy.

“Through consultation with businesses, workers and residents to inform the evening and night-time economy strategy, people told us the city centre needs to be better lit.

“We’ve listened. By lighting up these vital heritage landmarks along our cultural corridor, we’ll be bringing light right into the heart of our city centre. Our city motto is Out of Darkness Cometh Light, and it’s time that we take that literally as well as metaphorically.”

The scheme is being externally funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.