About AMT
Small towns are important. They are critical employment and service centres for the countryside, and they serve up to a quarter of the nation’s population.
Yet these towns face many challenges – loss of services due to centralisation, out-of-town shopping, and car parking and traffic congestion. All are obstacles to prosperity that threaten vitality and viability.
Small towns are not sitting back. Supported by their local authorities, town groups are forming partnerships and taking action.
These groups can feel isolated. They need access to quality information and advice, opportunities to share solutions, and to be aware of best practice from around the country. Small towns also need a national voice to represent their views and to influence Government thinking.
This is why Action for Market Towns exists. It is a national membership group that provides small towns, local authorities and others with:
- Information and advice
- Examples of best practice
- National representation
Action for Market Towns is a not-for-profit company and a registered charity.
Market towns have been hard hit by the recession, with unemployment overall rising by a third more than in the nation as a whole. Shop vacancies have increased and empty shops are getting harder to let.