A new landmark has arrived in the High Street with the unveiling of the heritage column commissioned by the Brentwood Town Centre Partnership.

The column created by artist blacksmith Gary Thrussell is designed to celebrate Brentwood's history and provide a symbol for the regeneration of the western end of the town centre.

Project director and partnership member, Jane Bennett, said businesses had enthusiastically backed the scheme including The Peking Chef, Westbury Press, the Barber Shop and Brents Insurance. She said: "The column was only one element of a wider scheme intended to add extra value to the redevelopment of the Kings Road/Hart Street site.

"In keeping with the idea of a compact, many local shopkeepers have taken steps to enhance their properties with refurbishments and hanging baskerts. In addition, the bed at the other end of Kings Road has also been transformed by attractive seasonal planting. The project is an example of a trend which the Partnership would like to see more of."

The unveiling by the Mayor of Brentwood, Cllr Shirley Howe, was the culmination of three years of work by the partnership.

The council's Town Centre Projects co-ordinator and Heritage Open Days co-ordinator, Jane Ponder, said: "The column provides the borough with a huge opportunity to promote itself as a great place to visit and explore English and local history.

"It is part of a wider Town Centre Partnership project led by Jane Bennett and is a prime example of private and public sector co-operation. Sponsorship from Business Link for Essex and Countryside Commercial Properties covered the cost."

Published Thursday April 8, 2004

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