People walk around the centre of Swindon in 2010 (Picture: Getty)
Time for a makeover?
It was once branded the “the ugliest, most soul-destroying town in England” and its architecture and landmarks are frequently ridiculed. But Swindon has launched a multi-million pound bid to become the new cultural hub of Britain.
Swindon, a cultural hub?
An initial bid for £12.5 million to the Heritage Lottery Fund was previously turned down, but a second bid is planned for the New Year.
What’s it got in the way of art?
As well as a life-size statue of Diana Dors, it is also home to a valuable collection of art, including works by Lucian Freud and LS Lowry.
Where are they hiding that gem?
The collection is stored at a building in Swindon’s Old Town, but the premises are so small only a fifth of the work is on display. That could be set to change thanks to proposals to create a £17.5m museum and gallery that would form the centrepiece of a “cultural quarter”.
It all sounds quite ambitious…
The campaign is being championed by Robert Hiscox, an art collector with a home nearby. “Swindon has no heart, that’s its problem. A town needs a heart,” he said.
The Telegraph
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