Ten grand for Trowbridge Town
Chippenham, Trowbridge, Wootton Bassett and Amesbury have got £10,000 each as part of a national programme to boost town centres.
All the towns have become part of the 'Town Team Partner' programme, which the Government launched to support those towns which failed in their bids to be part of the 'Portas Pilot'.
The towns will use the cash to develop some of the ideas to improve their town centre which they outlined in their bid for the Portas Programme. These could include ways to promote and market town centres, develop local markets, support pop-up shops, tackle the problem of empty shops and encouraging local retailers to work together
As well as the funding, the programme also offers access to:
- Help to get started and become established in their town
- An advice line and a network of advisers managed by the Association of Town Centre Management
- Special national events to learn from other Town Teams, and secure support from industry experts and trade bodies
- An online 'Knowledge Bank' with expert advice and support
- Regular meetings with other Town Teams to share tips and ideas, and
- 'Crowdfunding'- a potential way to attract local investors and raise small amounts of finance to support their work.
Cabinet member for economy and regeneration Fleur de Rhe-Philipe said: " This is good news for the towns. Town centres are at the heart of our local communities and the money and support this programme brings will have a positive impact."