The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Increasing the number of shoppers coming into the town centre and free parking have been highlighted as priorities for the future success of Spalding.
Those issues were top of the wishlist for a new town centre manager to focus on when one is appointed next month.
They were chosen by representatives of Spalding businesses who attended one of two forums last week to discuss how a town centre manager could be most gainfully employed.
Two meetings took place – one at 7.45am and a second at 6pm.
Phil Scarlett, president of Spalding and District Area Chamber of Trade, who was involved in organising the meetings, said: “The evening meeting was slightly better attended and therefore our future meetings will be held in the early evenings.”
Those who attended the meetings were told the timetable for appointment of a town centre manager includes application deadline on May 5 and interviews to be held in the week starting May 19.
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to prepare a short presentation on quick fixes for the town centre and one key project they would deliver within the first year.
The presentation will be made in front of an interview panel and any town centre traders who wish to be involved.
Feedback on the presentation along with the candidate’s knowledge of the town will be assessed to give everyone their say on the eventual appointment.
But if a suitable candidate is not found the whole process will start again.
Mr Scarlett said: “It was stressed at the meeting that should we not be successful in finding the right candidate then we would go back out and recruit again.
“The right person is the key to the success of this demanding role.”
Traders were also invited to highlight what they saw as the priorities for the future town centre manager and suggestions included free parking, bringing the town together, involving market traders, acting as a central point of contact, organising events and keeping the town clean.
Mr Scarlett said: “Overarching of all of these was one single point – increase the footfall into the town.”
Discussions also took place about the demands and complexity of the role and how other groups have their own priorities, such as the night-time economy forum and the civic society.
The next meeting of the retail forum will be held on Wednesday, May 14 at 5.45pm at Sainsbury’s Meeting Room (report to reception).
All traders are welcome.
A chairman will be appointed at the meeting.
