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Redditch Colour Palette

May 2024

THE STORY SO FAR

In February and March 2024, Reimagine Redditch ran more than 30 workshops and asked the people of Redditch for their ideas for the Redditch Colour Palette online.

Why? In 2023, Redditch residents told Reimagine they wanted to 'brighten up' the borough. 100s of you told us your Colours of Redditch. You described connections to the places Redditch is twinned with, such as St Elizabeth, Jamaica, the iconic landmarks that make Redditch famous, and about your love for the green spaces that you spend your free time in.

Alongside a panel of local people, 100s of ideas were whittled down to a shortlist of 12, and you voted for your favourites. Following this, around 900 Redditch residents and patrons cast more than 1,500 votes from all corners of the borough. From there, Artist Stacey Barnfield designed your colour palette. This is a colour palette about Redditch, by Redditch people.

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About The Artist

Stacey Barnfield is a Worcestershire-based artist, designer and former newspaper editor with a fascination for the heritage and history of the Midlands from a design, typography and ‘place’ perspective. More of Stacey’s work can be seen through the Draw My City artworks project, which encourages people to think of lesser-known places that might not always win architecture awards but are no less important to the people who worked, danced or dined there. Calling on his production journalism skills, Stacey has been commissioned to produce publications in various formats that celebrate architecture and design.  

Stacey’s work has received hugely positive feedback in other towns and cities, so we were reassured that the colour palette would be well received by the people who live, work, and visit the area. 

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The Inspiration Behind The Colours

If you want to know the inspiration behind each colour, here’s a short guide: 

ARROW BLUE 

Arrow Valley Country Park stretches from Forge Mill Needle Museum and Bordesley Abbey in the north to Washford Mill in the south. The River Arrow winds through it, and the 29-acre Arrow Valley Lake is the park’s crowning jewel. 

KINGFISHER TEAL 

The brightly coloured fishing bird is an icon of Redditch that gives its name to the shopping centre

NEEDLE STEEL 

At one stage, Redditch manufactured a staggering 90% of the world’s needles. Redditch has since become famous for many needle-related industries and trends, like tattooing, fishing, and crafting. 

ENFIELD CHROME 

Royal Enfield made its famous motorbikes in Redditch for decades. 

DITCH RED 

The colour of the clay which gives Redditch its name. 

PALACE VELVET  

More than a century old, the Palace Theatre is a much-loved destination, complete with traditional velvet curtains and seats. 

For more information on this project and Reimagine Redditch visit their website here

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