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 18^th and 19^th 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

What next?

• Read about the 2011 Convention – and access speakers’ notes and filmed interviews
• Enter the 2012 AMT Awards
• Full programme and booking information for the Convention will be announced in Spring.

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.

What next?

• More about Town of the Week
• Nominate your town by email to jamie.veitch@towns.org.uk
• Visit the Southam Town Council and the Southam Online websites

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.

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.

What next?

• More about Town of the Week
• Nominate your town by email to jamie.veitch@towns.org.uk

Thursday 8 March 2012

Where

Chesham Town Hall, Chesham, Buckinghamshire. HP5 1DS

The long debated Localism Bill finally became an Act of Government in November 2011.

It’s a key piece of coalition legislation providing a backbone to the Big Society and offers a range of new rights to communities to give them a greater role in shaping where they live.

Practical workshop

Following the unprecedented demand for bookings at the ‘Getting to Grips with Localism and Neighbourhood Planning’ event scheduled to take place in York in February, AMT is pleased to announce a replica event, to be held in Chesham, Buckinghamshire on 8 March.

Book now

This workshop, organised in Partnership with Buckinghamshire Business First,  will focus on the Localism Act and what it means in reality to communities living in and around market towns.

We will give you not only the information but also the tools to enable you to apply localism in your own area.

The programme

After an update on the Localism Act and an explanation of its different elements, this workshop will focus on one particular aspect of the Act: Neighbourhood Development Plans, including how they relate to existing Community Led Planning, whether you need one and what your next steps might be.

You will also learn how best to set up or strengthen your Plan Forum or Committee to ensure that your plan is fully representational.

Who should attend?

This workshop will be of interest to

• town and parish councils who are considering doing a Neighbourhood Plan or updating their existing parish plan
• communities in non-parished areas who are interested in setting up a Neighbourhood Forum
• local authority staff who want to help their towns make the most of the opportunities presented by Localism
• residents or councillors who want to understand more about the process and what’s involved

What will you learn?

Through a range of presentations, discussion group sessions and practical case study illustrations, by the end of the day you will have:

• gained a greater understanding of what the Localism Act is, its key contents and process, including what the new Community Rights to Challenge, Buy and Build are and how your community might use them

• been introduced to the relationship between Neighbourhood Planning and any existing Community Plan you may have, including how you can make a start in refreshing any existing plans to take advantage of the new opportunities offered under Localism and more effectively tie in with the statutory plans for your area.

• heard direct from one of the ‘Front Runner’ towns, who has already started developing a  Neighbourhood Plan and learn about the challenges and successes they have faced so far.

Book now

The cost of attending this event is subsidised, with attendance fees starting at just £35 including lunch for AMT members.

In addition, Buckingham Business First are subsidising places for up to 12 Non-AMT member towns/organisations based in Buckinghamshire to attend for just £35 (maximum 2 per organisation).

We also have an introductory offer for non-AMT members of £75, which includes three months trial membership.

See the booking form for more information on all rates.

Venue

The workshop will be held at Chesham Town Council . Chesham is accessible from the M40, M1 and M25 motorways and is on the (London Underground) Metropolitan Line.

Joining instructions will be emailed out to booked delegates nearer the time but can be downloaded here meanwhile: Joining Instructions, Chesham 8th March

Any questions?

If you have any questions about the event please contact Susannah Maxwell on 01284 756567 or at susannah.maxwell@towns.org.uk

What next?

• Read our localism guide and find out about our localism advisory service
• See our guide to Neighbourhood Planning
• Download localism resources