One voice to make town centre ‘great’

Traders are to stand shoulder to shoulder to make Spalding town centre a great place to work, shop and play.

A new group has been set up to give retailers and businesses a voice in the future of the town – with issues such as parking, signage and marketing at the top of its agenda.

With the appointment of a town centre manager imminent – a second round of interviews are due to start today – a number of established Spalding traders have come together to form the Spalding Town Retailers’ Association to ensure their voices are heard.

The town has been divided into sections, such as New Road/Red Lion Street, Holland Market/Swan Walk and The Crescent, with each appointing a “champion” to represent them on a committee.

Chairman of the new group Gavin Allmand, of Hills department store, said: “It is a challenging and changing time for retailers but we want a town to be proud of and with the support of other retailers we can move positively forward.

“We are united in wishing to have a say in what happens in our town centre and any decisions that affect it and to be successful with this we need to work closely with the district council and Spalding Chamber of Commerce – and they with us.”

Phil Scarlett, president of the Spalding and District Area Chamber of Commerce, believes the appointment of a town centre manager will be an important step forward in forging a united voice for the town centre, adding: “This appointment, along with the positive support and involvement of the town’s retailers will make Spalding a great place to work, live, shop and play.”

The overarching purpose of the group will be to increase footfall – the number of people coming in to shop – by providing a secure, clean and well-kept environment and promoting a calendar of activities in the town centre.

Mr Allmand added: “We are all business owners or managers in Spalding town centre.

“The success of the town centre is our main concern and we want to be involved in working with the town centre manager, the Chamber and the council to make sure the right things are done to help make a difference.

“Collectively we can have a voice and together we can achieve more.”

More retailers are now being invited to get involved and provide ideas and suggestions.