Press Information on Action for Market Towns

Press Information

Who are we?

Action for Market Towns (AMT) is a national membership group that supports and campaigns for small towns.

Our expertise is also increasingly called on by larger local authorities and registered social landlords in urban, as well as rural, areas – because our knowledge of creating thriving towns and empowering communities is relevant to high streets and neighbourhoods within larger towns and cities too.

Find out more about AMT

What is a small town?

There is no official definition but for AMT, a small town

has a population of between 2,000 and 35,000,
offers at least convenience shopping and meets some weekly and specialist needs,
acts as a service centre for its hinterland and local community (providing, for example, a bank/cash point, doctors surgery/health centre, secondary school, library and so on).

Any questions?

For press queries including case study requests, contact Jamie Veitch at news@towns.org.uk.

Email Jamie to receive your press copy of our monthly members e-bulletin, Insight - with the latest news and views on small town issues.

Comments on policy

Our chief executive, Chris Wade, and policy manager, Alison Eardley are both available for comment on policy.

For interviews and quotes, please call the office on 01284 756567.

Research into small towns

Find out about some of our recent publications below:

21st Century Town Centres Report – practical steps to help town centres to survive and thrive

Local Loyalty Guide – looks at the pros and cons of different local loyalty cards and schemes across the UK (email news@towns.org.uk for your complimentary press copy)

Town Centre Comeback Report – how towns and retailers can benefit from working together, including multiples and supermarkets (email news@towns.org.uk for your complimentary press copy)

Town Benchmarking National Report – insights into 70 small, market and medium-sized towns across England that have used the town benchmarking system

Making the most of Community Led Planning: a best practice guide for local authorities

Localism in practice: 16 case studies

AMT says

Read statements from AMT on small town issues.

One good shop can’t save the high street but a handful working together could

Treat your town as a department store

Can you legislate for localism?

Other ways we’re supporting our small towns

Action for Market Towns National Awards – annual awards to celebrate initiatives that are helping our small market towns to adapt to change and flourish

Events – seminars, workshops and our annual national convention helping towns to share best practice and learn new skills

The Localism Ladder – AMT’s new advisory service helping local authorities increase funding, influence and facilities in their communities

My Card – the smart local loyalty programme supported by AMT

Case Studies Database (members only) – sharing good practice on small town projects across the UK. Email news@towns.org.uk for case studies on any topic affecting small towns.