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Case Study - Ludlow

Ludlow


Fairarrow Citizens proud to revitalize Ludlow

Ludlow Council is working with the AGORA programme to revitalise its town centres through community involvement in town centre management. ‘Pride of Place Ludlow’ was launched as part of this to tackle the increasing problems relating to litter. The approach is also meant to encourage inward investment.
Pride of Place aims to encourage the community to become involved in taking care of the place they live and to clear the streets and gardens of litter and other rubbish.

The Pride of Place initiative has been gradually developed through Ludlow Chamber of Trade, the Civic Society and the Cittàslow Ludlow Committee as part of the AGORA project.
Ludlow was the first Cittàslow town in the UK. Cittàslow is an Italian movement that was developed as a further extension of the Slow Food movement and focuses on eco-government. The Cittàslow Ludlow Committee is the Steering Group that is overseeing the AGORA project in Ludlow.

A culture of pride


"The Ludlow Pride of Place Group came together with a vision to develop and promote a culture of pride in the town and the community. It is a positive, forward thinking group who are prepared to work hard to achieve its aims" - Paul Russell, Town Clerk in Ludlow


As well as organising litter picks, Pride of Place wants to encourage and support individuals either by picking litter in their immediate area or by highlighting problem areas.

They actively engage with local schools and organisations, encouraging volunteers to become involved.

Enhancing the environment


"Ludlow Pride of Place is good for Ludlow both visually, environmentally and economically. Success breeds success and greater success will enable the committee to engage further with the local business community to encourage them to take a greater ownership of the space outside their business premises" - Paul Russell



The Ludlow project fulfills its commitment to AGORA through involving the community in enhancing the visual attractiveness of the town. The idea is to help underpin and encourage greater economic activity and substantially improve the quality of life for both residents and visitors in Ludlow.

The scheme has resulted in improved litter bins, cleaner streets, the encouragement of recycling and a cleaner and tidier environment by engaging with the local community.

The AGORA programme


AGORA is a £2.7 million project, part-funded by the European Social Fund's Equal programme. This GB-wide public-private partnership, led by the Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and the Association of Town Centre Management (ATCM), will empower local communities in predominantly deprived areas to manage their town and/or district centres following sustainable social enterprise management models.

It thereby reverses economic decline and ensures the district centre is run for the benefit of all its local stakeholders.

AGORA has assisted Ludlow with background information, workshops, advice and networking. It’s also provided support regarding priorities and a mentor as well as helped Ludlow identify its need to set up a social enterprise company.

The community-led AGORA approach aims to ensure that local people have a vital input into the regeneration of town centres. The aim is to create sustainable towns, networking people and places across Europe, who have a passion to improve their localities through the principles of social entrepreneurship.

Monthly reviews


The Ludlow Pride of Place Group has organised a steering committee to work creatively with various organisations connected to the Ludlow area. The steering committee meets monthly to review progress of ongoing objectives.
In addition, a number of individuals have been working to develop the project through local campaigns through the media. South Shropshire District Council has been involved in a number of initiatives including the problem of dog mess along certain alleys and pathways.

The small but dedicated volunteer committee, which oversees the organisation of the Pride of Place programme, and the group, meet on a regular basis to develop the litter picking programme and arrange litter picking events. Some administrative and financial support is received from Ludlow Town Council. The Group also works closely with Ludlow in Bloom to co-ordinate efforts to help both clean up and brighten the town.

Litter picks


There are a number of areas in Ludlow that are considered ‘litter hotspots’. These have been identified by the Pride of Place Steering Group and a number of litter picks involving volunteers have been organised at Friars Walk and Castle Gardens.

The most recent example of community involvement was a Pride of Place litter picking day at a local playing field. In return for picking litter volunteers were rewarded with a freshly cooked Ludlow Sausage provided by a local company and sponsored by Ludlow Town Council.

Volunteers from local organisations such as Ludlow 21 and the Ludlow in Bloom Committee were involved and worked with a number of local children to litter pick the playing field and surrounding area on a Sunday morning. Over 20 volunteers of all ages were involved.

For more information, please contact Paul Russell on 01584 878437 or at townclerk@ludlow.gov.uk