The Arc is officially named a ‘Great Place’

Our community well-being hub, The Arc has been recognised at this year’s Urbanism Awards as a ‘Great Place’.

The Academy of Urbanism (AoU), who host the awards, are a not-for-profit organisation, bringing together those involved in the design, development, and management of great places. 

Their network of experts and enthusiasts from a range of sectors are committed to creating, sustaining, and learning from great cities, towns, and neighbourhoods.

The Arc, based in Westcliff, Scunthorpe, opened in 2018, providing a central hub for the local community to access housing and financial advice, mental health support, fun family activities, youth sessions, coffee mornings, and help with education and training. They also have a café and Post Office.

The building and friendly team were shortlisted for ‘representing a poignant piece of community-led, responsive urbanism in a deprived area.

Once a contributor to the feeling of despair, the neighbourhood centre in Westcliff now yields considerable local, social, wellbeing and economic benefits with renewed hope for the future.

The Arc not only illustrates the importance of accessible local services, but also highlights the value of a shared community vision.’

Kevin Hornsby, Director of Customer Services said: “To be acknowledged alongside such fantastic initiatives from around the UK is a real honour.

“As a finalist, we were commended for what The Arc delivers and that was fantastic to share with the team who work so hard to make a difference within the community.

“The Arc truly is the heart of the community, and we are all proud to be a part of it.”

Within their category were Mayfield Park in Manchester and the winners, Union Terrace Gardens in Aberdeen, who transformed a neglected heritage site into a revitalised city centre space. 

The awards were held on Wednesday 13 November with all five categories (European City of the Year, Great Town, Great Neighbourhood, Great Street, and Great Place) announced.

To find out more about the Urbanism Awards, head to: www.theaou.org/pages/the-urbanism-awards. For more information on The Arc, visit their website (www.arcwestcliff.co.uk) or follow them on social media.