Last week, Wakefield City Centre saw a remarkable transformation as the Wakefield City Centre Management Board, in collaboration with local businesses and Wakefield Council, conducted a major clean-up operation.
The week-long event, aptly named “The Big City Shine Up,” aimed to tackle issues like littering, fly-tipping, graffiti, and more, all while fostering a stronger sense of civic pride among residents and visitors alike.
A Collective Effort for a Cleaner City
Community and Business Involvement
The event was a collaborative effort, bringing together a diverse group of volunteers from organizations such as WDH, The Ridings, The Youth Association, and Wakefield BID, alongside elected officials, council officers, and residents. Together, they took to the streets to address various environmental concerns, demonstrating a strong community spirit and dedication to making Wakefield a better place.
Councillor Michael Graham, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth, emphasised the importance of the initiative:
“This project was designed to help clean up the city and get it looking even better, while promoting a stronger sense of civic pride. We want to encourage people to visit and invest in our city. To do this we must make sure it remains a pleasant, enjoyable place to be. It was wonderful to see so many businesses, residents, and young people uniting and taking pride in their city.”
Preparing for a Summer of Festivities
A Precursor to Upcoming Events
The Big City Shine Up was strategically timed to precede a series of exciting summer events planned under the Wakefield Council’s ‘Our Year’ programme. This initiative aims to attract tens of thousands of visitors to the city, featuring everything from music and live entertainment to the spectacle of a giant dragon exploring the city centre before taking to the skies.
With such an influx of visitors expected, including many first-timers, it was crucial to ensure that Wakefield presented itself at its best. The City Centre Management Board and the Council took this opportunity to spruce up the city, making it an inviting destination for all.
Actions and Impact
Tackling Environmental Issues
During the clean-up, volunteers made significant strides in improving the city’s appearance. They tackled littering, fly-tipping, vandalism, and graffiti, and promoted better recycling practices. The effort was marked by the collection of more than a dozen rubbish sacks, filling two industrial-sized waste containers.
Council officers also engaged with households in the city centre to educate them on effective recycling and proper disposal of rubbish and unwanted items. Furthermore, they met with 17 city centre-based businesses to discuss waste management and disposal practices, ensuring that the positive impacts of the Big City Shine Up would be sustained over the long term.
A Lasting Legacy
Plans for the Future
The success of the Big City Shine Up has inspired the Wakefield City Centre Management Board to consider making it a regular event. Plans are already underway for another clean-up in the autumn, aimed at maintaining the city’s improved appearance and continuing to foster civic pride.
By transforming the city centre and promoting community engagement, Wakefield is setting a strong example of how collaborative efforts can lead to significant environmental and social improvements. The Big City Shine Up not only enhanced the city’s aesthetics but also strengthened the bond between its residents and their home.
