Businesses discuss future
Over 40 local businesses and key stakeholders met last week to
discuss future plans for the town centre and how the Town Centre
Partnership can help support them grow and prosper.
The event, held at the Ashford’s Future marketing suite at
Charter House on Thursday 25th February, was organised by the Town
Centre Partnership and Ashford Borough Council.
It provided town centre businesses the opportunity to hear about
plans for the town centre set out in the Town Centre Area Action
Plan and to discuss their views on how the Town Centre Partnership
can help support businesses in the future.
Businesses were welcomed by Jo James, Chief Executive of Kent
Invicta Chamber of Commerce and acting Chairman of the Town Centre
Partnership and received presentations from Simon Cole, Planning
Policy Manager for Ashford Borough Council on the town centre plan
and Judith Armitt, Managing Director for Ashford’s Future on the
exciting projects that will be starting work in the next few months
including Victoria Way, Junction 9 and the station
improvements.
Andrew Osborne, Economic Development Manager for Ashford Borough
Council then introduced the role of the Town Centre Partnership and
opened discussions with businesses on how the Town Centre
Partnership could meet the changing needs of its members and ensure
the promotion of the town centre enhances the trading environment
for the whole business community.
Andrew Osborne, Economic Development Manager for Ashford Borough
Council, said: “We were delighted to see so many businesses attend,
and from a wide range of sectors. There was a very positive can-do
approach from everyone and we received some excellent feedback and
ideas.”
Viv Kenny, Town Centre Manager, said: “The attendance and
discussions were very positive. It now falls to the Partnership to
look at the feasibility and costs of putting some of them into
action.
“One of the key points raised was for everyone to pull together
to help promote the town. We would urge local businesses to join
the Partnership and together we can raise the town’s profile.”
The Town Centre Partnership will now be working up its new
business plan incorporating the ideas and comments of businesses at
this successful meeting.
Media release 0045/10
04/03/2010