Our economic achievements for West Berkshire

We have just conducted an annual review of the Councils 2021 Economic Development Strategy Refresh to showcase what we have achieved over the last year.

The review looks at the progress that has been made against delivering the goals of the strategy, with a summary of actions and achievements, and includes some feedback we've received from local businesses that we're proud of. It also looks at areas where our priorities have changed in response to external factors, such as the emergency response to the pandemic.

Some of the key achievements highlighted in the review include:

• The £6,420,000 of Covid support grants distributed to local businesses
• Setting a new way forward for the redevelopment of the London Road Industrial Estate
• Delivering a Masterplan for Newbury town centre with similar work on the way for both Thatcham and Hungerford
• Targeted support for employment and skills through the Kickstart scheme and Rebel Business School
• Enhancing our engagement with local businesses and delivering a Business West Berkshire website

Our commitment to being 'Open for Business' remains, with a busy programme of activity through to May 2023 when the Strategy's priorities will be reviewed to ensure we continue to support and grow the local economy. 

Councillor Lynne Doherty, Leader of West Berkshire Council, said:

"This has been a valuable chance to take stock of the commitments we made last year and the progress that has been made towards achieving them.

"Our focus throughout most of 2021 was on supporting our small businesses to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. Now, a year on, we are able to shift our focus back onto the longer term issues we know are a priority for local people, such as supporting high-quality employment and enhancing our town centres to galvanise West Berkshire's position as a great place to live, work and do business."