Royal Wootton Bassett in line for a grant (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Royal Wootton Bassett in line for a grant
6:00pm Wednesday 24th October 2012 in News By Emma Dunn
Mary Portas
ROYAL Wootton Bassett has been given a £10,000 grant after its bid to become a Mary Portas pilot town was rejected.
The town applied earlier this year to become a Portas Pilot, which would have seen it receive a grant of up to £100,000 to improve the High Street.
The town has now become part of the Town Team Partner programme, which the Government launched to support those towns not successful in bids to be part of the Portas Pilot.
It will receive £10,000 to help develop ideas outlined in the bid for the Portas Programme that would improve the town centre.
Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council town clerk Johnathan Bourne said they would determine how the money would be spent by looking at the results of surveys being completed by residents and businesses.
“The money will be used to help the town and also to boost trade,” he said.
“The process we are going through is a benchmarking survey which is being carried out by Action For Market Towns.” “Our original bid involved making the town more accessible over the internet. That scheme was in the region of £70,000 but we may be able to take steps towards it.”
Royal Wootton Bassett application for the Portas Pilot was a silent movie about businesses in the town, such as Brian Taylor Music, Guelder Rose Florists, Maddisons Greengrocers and the Town Hall Tea Rooms.
As well as the funding, the programme also offers an advice line and a network of advisers managed by the Association Of Town Centre Management, national events to learn from other town teams, and support from industry experts.
There is also an online knowledge bank with expert advice and support and regular meetings with other town teams to share tips and ideas.
Wiltshire Council cabinet member for economy and regeneration Fleur de Rhe-Philipe said “ Town centres are at the heart of communities and the money and support this programme brings will have a positive impact.”
For more information about the survey call the town council on 01793 850222.
