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    Town of the week: 8th February 2012

    February 8th, 2012

    This week’s AMT Town of the Week is a wonderful riverside town, tourist centre and thriving residential community, located on the banks of the river Great Ouse.  The town’s record breaking Guided Busway provides a trouble free, easy access route to and from Cambridge with buses running on a regular basis – and puts the town in a unique position of being classed as a railway station without having a railway track!

    The town has been a place of importance through the centuries with its Easter fair one of the busiest in England drawing crowds from all over Europe during the 1100s.  Indeed it was its markets and fairs that led to the founding of the town.  In the 17th Century it was the home of Oliver Cromwell.

    Its shopping centre has a good mix of independent traders and multinationals.  The original character is retained with regular markets held every Monday and Friday with Bank Holiday markets being very popular.  On the first and third Saturdays of each month an excellent Farmer’s Market takes place.

    In June 2009 the town centre partnership launched its award winning independent town loyalty card, which helps local businesses to increase their revenue and rewards customers for shopping locally. The scheme has proven a great success and is a previous winner of an Action for Market Towns Award.

    A focal point is the splendid 15th Century Bridge and chapel over the river and is one of only three such surviving bridges in England.  The Norris Museum houses a collection of books, manuscripts and objects relating to the history of Huntingdonshire bequeathed to the town by Herbert Norris on his death in 1931.

    So, where is it?

    Do you recognise this town from the description above?

    If you do, post your answer in a tweet to AMT (@townsalive) with the hashtag #amtotw

    We’ll reveal the name of the town on Friday 10th February!

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    Report from AMT Parliamentary reception

    February 8th, 2012

    AMT Reception

    February 2012

    MPs from across England and Wales joined Action for Market Towns’ chief executive, policy manager and board members, and several Award-winning member towns, at a Parliamentary reception this week to debate the future for small towns – where over 1/5th of the the population live.

    AMT members praised

    Jonathan Djanogly, MP for Huntingdon, hosted the reception, and in his opening speech referred to AMT members who have used their town centre partnerships to secure prosperous futures, seize opportunities, tackle neglect and revitalise their town centres. Jonathan highlighted particularly successful initiatives in Mold, Middlewich, St Ives and Huntingdon, all of which have previously won Action for Market Towns Awards.

    Chris Wade, AMT’s Chief Executive, said: “there is a long tradition of self-reliance and enterprise in our isolated small towns with often effective leadership shown by town councils, community partnerships and business associations.

    “After a busy year of contributing positively to policy development, we look forward to sharing good practice and supporting towns to make the most of the policy agenda. We are doing this by supporting town teams; neighbourhood planning, measuring economic performance and helping towns see themselves as ‘department stores’ that offer something more that the bland shopping experience of out-of-town shopping malls. We are even investing in developing an imaginative town-wide loyalty card that can attract new customers and capture a percentage of spend to re-invest in improving and promoting town centres.”

    The reception also marked the formal launch of the Action for Market Towns Awards 2012 – Britain’s top awards for town community projects.

    Photograph shows Alison Eardley, AMT Policy Manager, and David Hanson, MP for Delyn (centre),  joined by the Mayor (Cllr Ray Dodd – left in photo) and Town Centre Manager (David Hill – right in photo) of Mold at AMT’s parliamentary reception.

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    Kendal minted as AMT plans annual convention

    February 1st, 2012

    Press release 1.2.2012

    2 day autumn event will bring over £100,000 to local economy

    National charity Action for Market Towns (AMT) today announced Kendal as the location for its 2012 annual conference after the Cumbria town beat impressive bids from towns across the country wanting to host the event.

    The charity expects over 200 delegates representing market and small towns from all over the UK to attend the convention, taking place on the 18th and 19th of October in Kendal’s Town Hall.

    Delegates will exchange ideas, discuss Government policy – and how it affects them – and learn from practical workshops covering how to improve their towns.

    Speakers and workshop leaders from all over the UK – including policymakers and other key national figures – will share their advice; and study tours of Kendal will showcase some of its own best practice and innovative ideas which are helping the town to thrive.

    Alongside the convention AMT will announce the winners of the 2012 Action for Market Towns National Awards – Britain’s top award for community projects in small towns and villages.

    2011’s convention, in Ludlow, brought over £100,000 of additional spending to the town as well as widespread TV, radio and newspaper coverage.  AMT expect record numbers for 2012.

    Chris Wade, AMT’s Chief Executive, said:

    “We all know that now is a critical time for small towns, market towns, and town centres.  One in five people in the UK live in or around small towns; and small towns are facing many challenges. But it’s not all gloom and doom. Thousands of projects have been developed through local initiative, most often led by town partnerships of businesses, community organisations, local councils and individual volunteers. And in AMT towns have a champion – sharing innovative ideas and case studies of what towns can do to survive and to thrive, helping them navigate the latest government policies.

    “Our national convention is a key date for representatives from towns all over the UK – they come along to learn about new, practical solutions to challenges, to debate, to share ideas, and to network. And if they can’t attend they follow the action through AMT’s online coverage and news coverage – 2011’s event attracted extensive radio, TV and newspaper attention.

    “It’s critical therefore that AMT chooses a host town that is itself exemplary and we are delighted to announce that Kendal is the host for the 2012 convention. Kendal matches AMT’s vision of a ‘Town Alive’ and put in an incredibly impressive bid to stage the event. We look forward to working with Kendal Town Council, South Lakeland District Council and Kendal Futures to make this year’s event the biggest and best ever.”

    The Convention will be supported by Kendal Town Council, South Lakeland District Council and Kendal Futures.

    Council Leader Brendan Jameson said:

    “SLDC is delighted to support this event.  Kendal has a mix of heritage, culture and festivals, a diverse shopping experience and a strong education offer with Kendal College, making it an ideal place for other town leaders to explore and engage with.”

    Kendal Futures worked closely with Kendal Town Council, South Lakeland District Council and Kendal College to secure the event.

    Town Councillor Austen Robinson, who sits on the Kendal Futures Board, said:

    “Kendal Town Council is looking forward to welcoming AMT to Kendal.  We may be well known for our Mint Cake, but this is a great opportunity to put us on the national map and show that there’s much more to this thriving market town.  Our approach to partnership working is helping to address successfully the challenges facing us today.”

    ENDS

    Chris Wade, Chief Executive of Action for Market Towns, is available for interview.

    Press enquiries: Jamie Veitch, 07904 272 200.

    Notes to editors:

    Action for Market Towns

    1. Action for Market Towns (AMT) is a national charity committed to the vitality and viability of our small towns. www.towns.org.uk
    2. It has a national network of members and works with Town Councils, Community and town partnerships, emerging Local Enterprise Partnerships, Local Authorities, and independent  / selected partner businesses
    3. It offers training, consultancy, national advocacy and a range of other services to more than 400 members
    4. For press enquiries please contact Jamie Veitch on 07904 272 200 or email news@towns.org.uk

    Kendal Futures

    1. Kendal Futures is the regeneration partnership for Kendal. It has a board consisting of local representatives from both the public and private sector and has been set up to deliver key projects in the town.
    2. Kendal Futures has a project co-ordinator working closely with the board members to spearhead a range of projects aimed at improving the economic wellbeing of the town.
    3. For more information about Kendal Futures contact: Paula Scott, Project Coordinator, Kendal Futures on 07585 665636 or p.scott@southlakeland.gov.uk

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    Town of the week: 1st February 2012: Southam

    February 1st, 2012

    This week’s Town of the Week, Southam, is a traditional Warwickshire market town with its earliest roots in the tenth century.

    Its shops cluster around the High St and Market Hill, offering a quirky diversity of wares including bridal gowns and bicycles. The local cafés/pubs offer a range of dining and refreshments for shoppers and visitors. Historic buildings including the Manor House, the fourteenth-century Olde Mint pub and the former Craven Arms coaching inn which stand out as gems much appreciated.  Free car parking enables visitors to enjoy a longer stay.

    Heritage

    Heritage is hugely important and valued in this town – the rejuvenated Holy Well, the grade-one listed St James Church  and the elegant Warwick House are all worthy of a visit. Dedicated residents preserve and promote the Cardall Collection – artefacts and documents which encapsulate the town’s history over the last five hundred years. This town was granted a market charter in 1227 and today there is a popular Tuesday market, plus a Farmers’ Market once a month. Crowd-drawing events include the Mop Fair and the Christmas themed markets, as well as regular screenings of the rural cinema and concerts at the Grange Hall.

    An opportunity…

    In order to thrive and succeed as high streets across the country face increasing competition, the town has an invaluable opportunity to deliver real change to improve the appearance and viability of the town centre. This opportunity arises from the receipt of planning condition funds associated with the new Tesco store. This funding is solely dedicated to a range of town centre improvements including business support, shopfront enhancements, new events and community/visitor services. The main driver behind these changes is the town’s Town Centre Partnership. The partnership provides equal partnership opportunities between business owners, residents, community groups, local authorities and other local services who are responsible for the selection and delivery of robust projects which support the sustainability of the town by increasing footfall, length of stay and spend in the town centre.

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    Enter Britain’s TOP award for town projects

    January 26th, 2012

    Action for Market Towns National AwardsThe 2012 Action for Market Towns National Awards are a chance for you to shout from the rooftops about the work you are doing in your town and to inspire other towns.

    Be bold, loud, and proud about your achievements! The awards offer recognition for the innovation and creative ideas which many small towns are using to survive and to thrive – ideas which could be implemented to help other towns, villages and high streets.

    The Awards cover England, Wales and Scotland and are now open for entries until Friday 23rd March 2012.

    Read the Awards Guidance and download an entry form, here.

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    Town of the week: 25 January 2012: Brightlingsea

    January 25th, 2012

    A small historic town on the east coast, the only Cinque port limb outside Kent and Sussex. Today Brightlingsea is a centre for leisure sailing and hosts several national and international yachting competitions throughout the year.

    The town centre is notable for its narrow streets, old buildings and a variety of friendly mainly independent shops (which are all full), pubs, eateries and three banks providing all the necessities for visitors and locals alike. You can also find the museum which chronicles the town’s history.

    A distinctive feature

    The narrow streets lead down to the waterside which consists of the busy town Hard and jetty which leads to the promenade which is lined with colourful beach huts, an open-air swimming pool, children’s playground, skateboard park and tidal filled paddling pool.

    From the end of the promenade by the paddling pool you can join a nature walk along the site of the old railway track and around the creek which is all on SSSI land. This is just one of many pleasant walks around Brightlingsea and for the nature lover there are also other nature areas and gardens available to visit.

    Over the years the town has been very active in the ‘In Bloom’ competition and has won several prizes, this is reflected in the displays to be found around the town and waterside.

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    The Anchor Hotel, Brightlingsea

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