Covered market and 'town pound' among ideas to boost Wallingford in new report (From The Oxford Times)

Covered market and 'town pound' among ideas to boost Wallingford in new report

7:00am Wednesday 3rd March 2010 in

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A blueprint for a covered market, a new riverside pub and a ‘Wallingford pound’ note is aimed to draw more visitors to the town.

Developing a Unique Selling Point for Wallingford, drawn up for South Oxfordshire District Council by consultants Miller, says the town’s history and riverside charm should be promoted.

It recommends: l Developing a covered market and crafts venue, at a cost of £20,000 l Building an exemplary riverside pub-restaurant, securing private investment of more than £150,000 l Setting up a ‘Wallingford pound’ for use in local shops and to trade on the town's historic ties with the Royal Mint, costing up to £10,000 l Investigating the feasibility of removing buses from the Market Place, costing £20,000 l Trialling pedestrianisation of the town centre on Saturdays (£5,000) l Creating a town brand, at a cost of £15,000.

The report also suggests developing a programme of events around the town, castle and river, with a dedicated arts and events management team, to attract more people.

Signs and road surfaces also need to be improved, it says.

The report states: “In more recent times, the town has suffered somewhat from a lack of identity and attractors. The appearance of the town suggests an element of neglect, with very few shop facades doing justice to their rich history.

“Its shopping offer has declined in response to the competition from nearby Didcot, and traffic management in the town could be improved.”

The suggested trial period of Saturday pedestrianisation would “provide an indication of the likely impact of full pedestrianisation of the town centre”. Identifying whether buses could be moved away from the Market Place should be a “matter of high priority”.

Similar reports have been prepared for Henley and Thame.

District councillor Rodney Mann, said: “It is one of the council’s priorities to support these towns and, providing funding can be maintained, we will do so.

“The first thing I’ve asked to happen is that the simplest and quickest recommendations are done first, rather than the more complicated and difficult ones; for example, to do with traffic.

“All I can say at the moment is ‘most’ will be carried out.”

Wallingford in Business member David Bosley said the group “cautiously welcomed” the proposals.

He said: “We welcome the initiative and there is undoubtedly good stuff there. We hope common sense prevails in which of the suggestions are rolled out.

“Unfortunately, when the consultation process started, there was limited funding, and that is now going to be even more restricted.”

Museum curator Judy Dewey said: “The best way of bringing more people into the town and boosting the local economy is our heritage. We should be impressing the fact we are the finest Anglo-Saxon fortified town in the country with a medieval castle and medieval townscape. Once people get here, there are many other good things about Wallingford.”

Wallingford Town Council will discuss the report on Monday.