“St Georges Square has won Gold in the national Town Centre Environment Awards which recognise the high quality, imagination and forward thinking of the design and the quality of the construction” says Liberal Democrat Councillor Sid Rutstein.

The awards announced on 6 November recognise work undertaken in towns and cities across the UK to improve the urban environment and encourage investment. Some 30 towns and cities entered projects for this year’s awards and an eight-strong jury visited the short-list of six locations.

“Of course, the important consideration now is the way in which the square is used. The social use of such an attractive space is increasing. Organised activities, from the ice skating rink last winter; the Royal Anglian regiment 2nd Battalion beating retreat before they left for Afganistan; the Summer Festival programme ; and many other events, illustrate the potential for the square.” says Cllr Rutstein.

“The new square is bigger than Leicester Square and sets a standard for the regeneration of the town centre.”

“It is a great pity that the Labour Party have consistently and illogically criticised the new square. Indeed Labour leader Councillor Hazel Simmons preferred the old square! She and her colleagues are in a small and jaundiced minority.”