Roadmap to success for borough's town centres

New visions and priorities have been set to support the town centres in Wokingham Borough, ensuring they meet the needs of residents and businesses both now and in the future.

At the council’s Executive meeting yesterday (30 January), a new strategic framework was approved, which outlines key principles to help towns and districts in the borough adapt and thrive in an unpredictable economic climate. 

The council’s decision-making Executive also agreed to specific development strategies proposed for Wokingham and Woodley town centres, and Twyford village centre. These strategies set out priorities and opportunities for growth for each of the three areas.

Commitment to support and partnership

Cllr Mark Ashwell, executive member for economic development, sport, leisure and the arts, said, “The Town Centre Strategic Framework sets out our vision for the future of our town centres and our commitment to working in partnership to ensure their success.

“We recognise that our town centres, like many others across the country, have faced challenges in recent years due to the rise of online shopping, flexible working, the cost-of-living crisis, and other economic shifts.

“We hope the new framework and the individual town centre strategies will help local businesses thrive, while supporting our broader goals for the borough, such as sustainability, inclusion and equality.

“We’d like to thank town and parish councils, residents and businesses for their valuable input to the framework and strategies. It’s just the beginning of our partnership, and we look forward to working closely together to drive future growth.”

Framework and strategies

The Town Centre Strategic Framework is built around four overarching principles to guide the support and development of all town and district centres in the borough:

• Healthy, thriving towns where everyone feels they belong
• Support businesses and create ecosystems for sustainable growth
• Work towards carbon neutral town centres
• Work in partnership to celebrate the individuality of our town centres

Individual strategies for Wokingham and Woodley town centres, and Twyford village centre have been tailored to reflect these principles while addressing the specific strengths and challenges each centre faces. Plans are also in hand to look at all other district and town centres to identify needs and opportunities. 

The framework and the strategies were shaped through extensive engagement and consultation with residents, local businesses, town and parish councils and other stakeholders including the police. In addition, research and data analysis have been conducted to incorporate national trends and best practices.

The documents will be regularly reviewed and assessed to ensure they remain relevant and aligned with evolving needs.

Next steps

The Town Centre Strategic Framework and the strategies for three town and village centres will launch in February, with the full version of the documents available and accessible to the public.

The council plans to set up a Wokingham Borough Town Centre Steering Group this year, with representatives from a wide range of stakeholders and businesses. The group will play a key role in shaping and delivering an action plan focused on the agreed principles and priorities, and in monitoring the progress of the plan.

Furthermore, subject to funding availability, the council intends to appoint a dedicated town centre officer to help move the work forward.

Economic Development Strategy

The council’s Executive has also approved a new Economic Development Strategy aimed at ensuring the continued economic success of the borough. 

The strategy outlines an economic vision for 2035, with Wokingham Borough becoming a ‘growing and greener economy for everyone’. It also establishes a number of strategic objectives to guide how it achieves this vision.

Following the approval of the strategy, the council will work with internal and external stakeholders and partners to develop a range of short, medium, and long-term actions that deliver growth and success benefiting everyone.

Funding from the government

The council has set aside £60,000 for the research and production of the Town Centre Strategic Framework and the individual strategies, as well as the Economic Development Strategy. The work is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

For more information, visit the UK Shared Prosperity Fund website.