|
The aim with Chippenham has been – and will be to :
• Promote it as an attractive riverside market town .
• Build on its natural assets like the river and connecting features including the market , historic centre , parks , eateries and leisure facilities .
• Encouraging young people to stay in the area by providing strong education facilities , employment choices and access to leisure and housing .
• Strengthening its role as a business location , improving further on its road and rail links
This vision was first set out in 2014 and the results are now beginning to trickle through with major changes to the road
|
network , including improving junction 17 of the M4 and more housing developments coming onstream this year .
To put this into some kind of context , Chippenham has a population of about 45,000 and growing . About 1.5m people use the railway station every year and this is expected to increase with electrification of the line . An investment programme for improvements to the station is planned .
For businesses , the town is seen as increasingly vibrant with more activity around the town centre thanks in part to the Chippenham BID and to the work of Chippenham Town Council with the support of other bodies including the Chippenham Chamber of Commerce .
The Chippenham BID has four key areas it wishes to work on with regard to the town centre which – according to 2017
|
figures – sees less footfall and average spend by visitors than other town centres . It aims to :
• Improve the image of the town through marketing and events .
• Improve access and car parking – car parking charges being seen as a big issue in their research .
• Create a welcoming , safe and clean environment .
• Back business .
None of these aims can be achieved overnight and there have been some ups and downs in these early years . Debbie Williams , president of the
|
Chippenham Chamber of Commerce , said more work will be done by the Chamber to engage local businesses in the town ’ s development and to create more engagement across sectors .
She said : “ We are hoping to host more networking events in the evening during 2018 , as people find this an easier time to join us . “ We will also continue to be the voice of business in Chippenham and we wish to be more visible and accessible to all . We will continue to work closely with Chippenham Town Council , and Chippenham BID .”
|
|
CORSHAM |
||||
|
The vision for Corsham is slightly different and was set out two years ago around the development of three key areas of the town - greater Corsham , central Corsham particularly the town centre and West Corsham ( MOD and academic uses ).
The aim for the town centre area was to redefine it as a distinct place and to facilitate growth to strengthen the economic performance of this central area which has the benefit of being pedestrianised , with a very Cotswold look .
Greater Corsham proposals sought to protect the integrity and character of the villages through encouraging the use of brownfield sites and limiting infill development . Promote sustainable transport to encourage active lifestyles and reduce congestion .
For West Corsham the aim was to create an identity for the area as a living , working and learning environment .
This is also a work in progress and the details of that vision have now been added to the Corsham Draft Neighbourhood Plan which will be put to the public vote in a referendum in the summer this year .
This will include some specific proposals according to Corsham Town Council chief executive David Martin .
“ Among the proposals will be some key things ,” David said .
“ Development around West Corsham , regeneration of the town centre and – for the longer term , a new railway station very close
|
to the previous station which was closed under Beeching .”
With plans for around 800 new homes in Corsham in the near future , there is a need for growth and also growth of the infrastructure to support the population .
On the business front , the library has been demolished in Pickwick Road , ready for redevelopment and The Mansion House is to become an incubator hub for small businesses .
Stuart Pearce , of SMARTech Energy , is the President of the Corsham Chamber of Commerce and he came to Corsham with his family about four years ago and started his company which is based on the Leafield Industrial Estate in Corsham . He supports the town council with its plans and will be a resident who votes in the local referendum . For Stuart , Corsham is a vibrant business community with a bright future .
“ There are such a diverse range of businesses here . There are manufacturing and pharmaceutical companies such as Bath ASU which many people will not have heard of – and we ’ re all very positive about business here in 2018 and beyond . We are holding our second Corsham Business Show shortly .
“ There is also innovation around digital and some strong independent retailers around the town centre .”
Areas which need to be looked at for businesses though include a lack of suitable space for expansion .
“ We do need to explore how to create
|
more commercial space for businesses which are growing where production and storage are critical to growth . There is a lack of such space around Corsham and surrounding areas . We want these ambitious businesses to stay in the area so we do need to make some progress around this .”
David Martin from Corsham Town Council agrees .
“ We know the need is there . We are planning for around six hectares of land for employment purposes and will take very seriously anyone who comes up with a proposal which can meet all the relevant criteria .”
* The Corsham Business Show takes place on Wednesday March 21 at the Springfield Centre , Beechfield Road . For details visit www . corshambusinessshow . co . uk
|
||
14 THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2018 |