TEIGNMOUTH’S arts quarter will be officially designated at the end of the month.

The area around Northumberland Place and the back beach has built up a reputation in recent years as the alternative home of many artists and craftspeople.

Now it has been given the official seal of approval as the arts quarter, which it is hoped will attract more trippers and tourists to the town.

The area also encompasses Teign Street, Somerset Place, George Street and Brunswick Street, and the name has the approval of both the town and Teignbridge councils.

One of the drivers of the campaign was the late Cllr Geoff Bladon, and it was also enthusiastically backed by town centre development manager Tracy Scranage and a committee of shops and businesses, chaired by Sam Birtwistle.

Local artist Michelle Greenwood-Brown has created a mosaic trail around the area, and the project will be opened on July 30 in Northumberland Place by Teignbridge Cllr Doug Hellier Laing, who is responsible for tourism and the economy.

‘Teignbridge is pleased to support this initiative to rebrand the area, and to provide funds earmarked for an arts project from the Morrison’s development windfall money.

‘This area of the resort had rightly gained an enviable reputation for excellence in the arts, and its array of shops and businesses specialising in arts based gifts and displays have rightly become a major draw to visitors and residents looking for something unusual.

‘It is very sad that Cllr Bladon did not live long enough to see his efforts in supporting the project publicly acknowledged at its opening ceremony, but it is fitting that his hard work and guidance will be recognised with a commemorative plaque to be placed in the heart of the area.’

Ms Scranage pointed out the area did not have the advantages of other areas of the town that were near the rail station and bus stops, with an array of multi-national retailers.

‘But it does have the great natural beauty of the river beach with its high class restaurants and bars, and streets with interesting, quirky businesses.’