WORK to improve shopfronts and enhance Temple Street in Keynsham has been continuing as part of a regeneration scheme for the town centre.
The £65,000 Keynsham Shopfront Improvement Programme will see Temple Street Canteen – which is being re-branded as Savour Cafe & Kitchen – and the Savour deli, refill and farm shop transformed with upgraded frontages in pastel colours in keeping with the street’s Victorian character.
The upper floors of the shops and those of the three adjacent shops are also being improved as part of the project.
Working with Keynsham Town Council and Keynsham Leisure Centre, Bath & North East Somerset Council also aims to bring splashes of colour and fun to the opposite side of the street with three art installations that will reflect and celebrate the history of Keynsham.
One of these installations will be a light installation in the covered walkway from Temple Street to Riverside Square in the form of projected drawings co-created by children from local schools and artist David Mackie, depicting different periods in Keynsham’s history.
The improvements are part of the Keynsham High Street Heritage Action Zone (HS HAZ) and Keynsham’s Local Cultural Programme, which provides cultural activities to engage people with their local high streets.
The Temple Street Improvement Project to widen pavements, install planters and parklets and enhance views of the street in both directions was completed in spring 2023 ahead of the shopfront improvements.
The shopfront works have been awarded £65,000 from the HS HAZ and are being led by the landlord of 20-30 Temple Street and business owner of Temple Street Canteen and Savour, in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Council.
Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for economic and cultural sustainable development, said: “These high-quality shopfront improvements will continue to make Temple Street more welcoming for residents and visitors and contribute to a stronger sense of identity in this historic Keynsham street.”
Rebecca Barrett, Regional Director at Historic England South West said: “The improvements to Temple Street’s shopfronts and the new art installations will celebrate the old and the new, revealing Keynsham’s historic character and showcasing the creativity of the people who live and work here now.”
Pictured above, the shops as they looked towards the end of February and, below, a design image of the how they will look when the work is finished
