7:00am Wednesday 14th July 2010
By Herald Reporter
RESIDENTS of Wantage are being urged to voice their views on the future of their town centre.
Shopowners and town councillors are encouraging members of the public to give their verdict on how they want to see their town centre develop as part of a consultation by the Vale of White Horse District Council.
The Vale council has drawn up a draft plan aimed at improving the vitality of the area and is asking residents, businesses and organisations to voice their views.
The plan, which covers 2010 to 2013, hopes to boost shopping and employment in Wantage and Faringdon and tourism in the wider region.
It also aims to strengthen the Joint Economic Forums that bring together the district council, the town councils, chambers of commerce, and community groups to work to enhance the towns.
The money for the work has come from South East England Development Agency’s Small Rural Towns Programme, the European LEADER programme and grants from the Joint Economic Forums.
The plans for Wantage include the allocation of grant funding to invest in shopfront improvements and enhancing the appearance of the Market Place.
Town mayor Jim Sibbald encouraged everyone to comment on the plans.
He said: “If we are wanting to improve what we do in Wantage we have to get everyone involved — it has to be an all-informing and all-participating net.
“We need to have a few initiatives going and we need to have the chamber of commerce working with the district and town councils.
“We need to be looking at facilities like parking so people can get into Wantage. It is all the mundane aspects we need to get in place before we look at the infrastructure.”
Shop owner and town councillor Patrick O’Leary said it was important that Wantage “lifts its image” to attract shoppers.
He said: “There is development in lots of different towns and competition is very severe.
“Wantage really has to invigorate itself to make sure we can bring in the shoppers.
“As a shopkeeper, I feel that the town needs a radical overhaul. You can turn up and say it needs a bit of paint here and there but it needs something radical.”
Linda Hatter, of the Wantage Rejuvenated group and Top Hatters on Mill Street, said something needed to be done.
She said: “It certainly needs something doing to it, but I am not really sure what.
“It needs upgrading without spoiling all the historical bits of it.”
She said Wantage was ideal for shoppers and tourists. She said: “We have it all here. It is a lovely place to visit.”
Richard Gibson, executive member for economic development at the Vale, said: “We recognise that we need to address the issues faced by the town centres of Wantage and Faringdon.
“That will mean finding permanent solutions that will help improve and support the towns over the long term, and not just through present difficulties.”
To view the plan and take the online survey visit the council website at www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk The deadline for comments is Friday, July 30, and the final plan will be produced later this year.
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