In April, the inSwindon BID Company started its third BID term following a successful BID Renewal, I am delighted that myself and the inSwindon Team will have the opportunity to continue its pledge to create a vibrant town centre, we can all be proud of, where businesses prosper, our communities thrive and visitors value the Swindon town centre as a destination of choice. We are working with the Swindon Advertiser to produce the ‘inSwindon Advertiser’ which is aimed at providing you with an insight as to what is happening in the town centre.

We kicked off with our first event on Sunday 23rd April, where the whole town centre came together to celebrate the annual St. George’s Day Festival. As well as celebrating all things English including our St. George’s Day Parade and free entertainment for all to enjoy, we also saw the Best of Swindon Talent Competition in its second-year return to Wharf Green.

The highlight for me was leading the parade with the Mayor of Swindon, Councillor Eric Shaw. The whole town centre stood still as St. George, a Damsel and Dragon made their way down Regent Street with the Britannia Majorettes Band and the Minniettes.

This year’s Best of Swindon talent finalists were all at a very high standard and we had such a hard task to choose the winner. 1st place went to Masie Long aged 10, who impressed us all with her Irish dancing skills. In second place was Sophie Simpkins who perfectly sang a ballad and hit every note. Taking third place was singing duo Kody Bowler and Reanna Nolan. Thank you to everyone who took part and made the competition truly memorable.

Next month, plans are underway to transform the whole town centre into a Pirate Fest! There will be so much going on for all the family to enjoy (Further information available on page 4).

A string of new retailers has opened in the Swindon town centre over the past few months. Among these is Kingsley Smythe - they have just opened a brand-new store opposite Starbucks in the Brunel Shopping Centre. A family-run business offering a stunning variety of quality teak garden furniture and a vast collection of detailed, interesting hand-carved ornaments and accessories to enhance any home or garden. Other new stores include Mcctaffs Cakes and Tearoom located in the Brunel Centre, American Sweets on Regent Street, Greggs on Canal Walk and Second Cup Coffee in the Parade Shopping.

InSwindon BID Company is very much behind the Switch on to Swindon Campaign to change perceptions of Swindon and put it in the spotlight as being a great place to live, work, invest in and visit. Last month, I attended the first Switch on to Swindon Ambassador breakfast event, held at the National Self Build and Renovation Centre. It was great to see so many passionate businesses coming together to get behind this campaign and highlight the strength of Swindon.

I would encourage as many people/businesses as possible to get behind this campaign and tell their stories and of course to sign up to become an ambassador. To find out more, please visit switchontoswindon.com.

It’s great to see so many visitors spending their leisure time in the Swindon Town Centre, I am pleased to report that footfall was up by 1.6% for January – March 2017 against the same period last year, which is bucking the general footfall trend for both the UK and in the South West. Have you been in the town centre recently? If you haven’t I am sure you will see some very positive changes on your next visit and for those regular shoppers please continue to support the town centre – our plans over the next 12 include a comprehensive programme of events, working to bring in new businesses, partnership working to improve the town centre’s appearance, increasing our team of Street Ambassadors to welcome visitors and a new improved and user friendly town centre website.

I hope you enjoy reading about what we have planned for you over the next couple of months and find it useful - don’t forget that you can keep in touch with everything that is happening in the town centre by visiting our website www.swindontowncentre.co.uk

Best wishes

Di Powell, InSwindon BID Chief Executive