WOKINGHAM’S regeneration was the focus of a town hall forum held on Tuesday, April 4.
The meeting, organised by the new Wokingham Town Business Association, gave business owners and managers an opportunity to learn more about the plans for the new shopping centre and ask questions to the team behind it.
Cllr Mark Ashwell, Wokingham Borough Council Executive Member for Planning and Regeneration, outlined the plans which include aiming to turn the town into an 18-hour economy, the streets becoming places to be, while also creating spaces to breathe and ensuring that the new buildings being installed set the design standard for others.
“That’s the masterplan, that’s what I want to do,” he said. “Wokingham will be regarded as one of the best places to live and work in the UK.”
And he promised that the regeneration would bring real benefits to the traders.
“Wokingham will capitalise on its unique assets and historic character to create a high quality and special town centre experience with a thriving retail and business economy and an attractive and diverse social scene that provides for the lifestyle of all residents and is attractive to visitors and those who work in the town.”
Also speaking at the event was Wokingham town mayor Cllr Gwynneth Hewetson.
Welcoming the opportunity for businesses to ask questions during the session, which was held in Wokingham Town Hall in Market Place, Cllr Ashwell added: “It’s all about a two-way dialogue with all businesses working together.”