Thursday, March 16, 2006
Managing the future in Haverhill town centre
The focus on improving Haverhill's town centre is growing stronger, following St Edmundsbury's pledge to invest £10 million over the next ten years, with Cabinet now being asked to approve funding to develop a town centre management scheme for the first time. If approved, the scheme will receive more than £100,000 investment over three years.
At yesterday's meeting of the Haverhill Area Working Party (HAWP), chaired by Cllr Jeff Stevens, members discussed a report set to go to Cabinet on 22 March outlining the idea. Town Centre Management is already very successful in Bury St Edmunds, bringing a whole range of organisations together to boost the town's vitality and viability. Its members also promote the town through a number of events, such as continental and flower markets and Christmas fairs. Now the idea is to build on that expertise and help retailers, businesses, councils and other organisations work together on town centre management in Haverhill.
After the HAWP meeting Cllr Jeff Stevens said:
"Last week we heard that progress is being made on redeveloping the Gurteen's site, a major element in the regeneration of Haverhill Town Centre. The chance to establish a town centre management will build on the foundations that are now being laid and experience elsewhere in the country has shown that a successful scheme can have a dramatic effect on a town's prosperity. It is not something that a council can do on its own - this will be a success through strong partnership working."
The report to Cabinet says it's clear that the newly-established Haverhill Chamber of Commerce can provide "a new impetus for the development of town centre management". In addition, Haverhill Town Council has "an excellent track record of delivering events in the town centre".
Experience in Bury St Edmunds and elsewhere has shown that building a comprehensive and effective town centre management scheme takes time and expertise. The appointment of a Town Centre Manager would provide the skills necessary to build a team which would actively work to promote Haverhill and on events to attract more people to the town centre.
The proposal is also backed by Cllr Nigel Aitkens, St Edmundsbury's Cabinet member responsible for economic development.
Cllr Aitkens said:
"There's a lot going on in Haverhill just now, with a huge amount of partnership working and co-operation at all levels from everyone who wants to see this town centre thriving. It does, however, take time but I'm sure a professional town centre management scheme will help us to get things moving more quickly."
Cabinet is being recommended to approve £25,000 a year for the next three years for a consultant to develop the town centre management function in Haverhill. Further funding of £5000, then £10,000 and in the third year £15,000 is also up for approval for partnership funding to stage promotional events in the town centre.
The focus on improving Haverhill's town centre is growing stronger, following St Edmundsbury's pledge to invest £10 million over the next ten years, with Cabinet now being asked to approve funding to develop a town centre management scheme for the first time. If approved, the scheme will receive more than £100,000 investment over three years.
At yesterday's meeting of the Haverhill Area Working Party (HAWP), chaired by Cllr Jeff Stevens, members discussed a report set to go to Cabinet on 22 March outlining the idea. Town Centre Management is already very successful in Bury St Edmunds, bringing a whole range of organisations together to boost the town's vitality and viability. Its members also promote the town through a number of events, such as continental and flower markets and Christmas fairs. Now the idea is to build on that expertise and help retailers, businesses, councils and other organisations work together on town centre management in Haverhill.
After the HAWP meeting Cllr Jeff Stevens said:
"Last week we heard that progress is being made on redeveloping the Gurteen's site, a major element in the regeneration of Haverhill Town Centre. The chance to establish a town centre management will build on the foundations that are now being laid and experience elsewhere in the country has shown that a successful scheme can have a dramatic effect on a town's prosperity. It is not something that a council can do on its own - this will be a success through strong partnership working."
The report to Cabinet says it's clear that the newly-established Haverhill Chamber of Commerce can provide "a new impetus for the development of town centre management". In addition, Haverhill Town Council has "an excellent track record of delivering events in the town centre".
Experience in Bury St Edmunds and elsewhere has shown that building a comprehensive and effective town centre management scheme takes time and expertise. The appointment of a Town Centre Manager would provide the skills necessary to build a team which would actively work to promote Haverhill and on events to attract more people to the town centre.
The proposal is also backed by Cllr Nigel Aitkens, St Edmundsbury's Cabinet member responsible for economic development.
Cllr Aitkens said:
"There's a lot going on in Haverhill just now, with a huge amount of partnership working and co-operation at all levels from everyone who wants to see this town centre thriving. It does, however, take time but I'm sure a professional town centre management scheme will help us to get things moving more quickly."
Cabinet is being recommended to approve £25,000 a year for the next three years for a consultant to develop the town centre management function in Haverhill. Further funding of £5000, then £10,000 and in the third year £15,000 is also up for approval for partnership funding to stage promotional events in the town centre.
