New Highworth tourism centre on track for September launch

The team behind Visit Highworth Ltd aim to open the not-for-profit business in early September after receiving financial backing from residents and £28,000 in grants from Freke Norton, Highworth Lions and other organisations.

Highworth Community Partnership Group chair Keith Smith said: “The important thing is that more than 60 people from Highworth have contributed to this since we launched the share issue in May.

"I’m extremely proud and delighted, I couldn’t believe it at first, it's amazing. This is a truly community-focused venture and we are really excited about it, we have already booked workmen for it”

The ground floor of the former site of the town’s Lloyds Bank will be refurbished and re-fitted once the lease is confirmed.

More than 50 people attended the first meeting about the project in November and agreed that a community benefit society should be set up to carry out the conversion.

Then, the tourism team met and decided on the project’s name after consulting the Financial Conduct Authority for guidance.

The team became full members of the Plunkett Foundation, which has provided them with professional support while they embark on this new venture which aims to bring more tourism into Highworth.

HCPG chair of tourism Phil Baker said at the time: “Highworth has thousands of tourists go through it on the A361 every day and they all pass us by. A museum would be something that would attract them. The shop could sell locally-made products and really promote our town.

“This is a place I’m proud of, I’m glad I live here, and it has a tremendous community spirit that many other towns don’t have, and I want to keep growing and flourishing.”

The share issue offered shares in the business to anyone over 18 for £10 each.

For the first time, Mr Smith and Sandra Rendall have written an application to nominate Highworth in the Great British High Street Awards’ High Street of the Year category.