Wayfinding for Midsomer Norton Town Centre

Clients: Midsomer Norton Town Council and Bath and North East Somerset Council (B&NES)

Delivering the neighbourhood and town centre project commitments made in Neighbourhood Plans and regeneration strategies can be at the forefront of the community’s perception of the plan’s  effectiveness. We are passionate about creating successful places and building ongoing relationships with council and parish clients that go beyond setting priorities and into their delivery.

At Midsomer Norton, the Town Council is committed to strengthening the quality and attractiveness of the town centre. Our engagement, linked to the B&NES Placemaking Plan, identified a number of economic and public realm objectives for the town centre.

In 2018 we were appointed to work with Midsomer Norton Town Council to design and implement a bespoke information and wayfinding system for the town centre and Town Park with specific attention to accessibility issues for all.

The Place Studio team worked collaboratively with the community stakeholders, the Town Council, Regeneration and Highways officers from B&NES, to produce a system which incorporates existing infrastructure within the town centre and respects and enhances its historic high street context.

We produced and refined design options, coordinated public consultation and developed concepts into detailed product specifications with stakeholders, agreed detailed and viable locations with the highway authority and advised B&NES Council with procurement and installation.

The wayfinding system was implemented during 2019.  It brings a new level of information, connecting Midsomer Norton’s town centre retail, leisure, open space and heritage attractions, and linking them to walking and cycling routes, public transport and car parks. The comprehensive system to improves legibility and promotion of the town centre’s range of facilities and attractions, for both residents and the Somer Valley’s visitors.