Town Centre Strategies for Thatcham and Hungerford town centres

West Berkshire Council has commissioned Hemingway Design to develop Town Centre Strategies for Thatcham and Hungerford, to protect and boost the high street and town centres enhancing their vitality and economic prosperity.

Hemingway Design want you to have your say as they develop plans for the two towns. Whether you are a local resident, business or visitor, your views are important to us. A survey is now open allowing you to provide feedback on the proposed plans for both town centres. It's easy to complete and takes around 10 minutes to fill in.

We have already held scoping workshops with a range of stakeholders such as town councillors, district councillors, and local business representatives, in both towns leading up to this open public survey.

The Town Centre Strategies will include a range of visual plans, which will reflect on each town's unique economic, spatial, environmental and historic values.

Speaking about the upcoming work, Councillor Lynne Doherty, Leader of West Berkshire Council, said:

We're really keen for as many people as possible to get involved and take part in the survey as it provides an opportunity for you to show us how you see your town centres develop.

"The main objective of this survey is to link community and business needs with town centre improvements, as well as celebrate the local features and potential of a location, helping to amplify its unique character. This work can also help to produce an identity that can be used to attract visitors and businesses to the local areas.

"Hemingway Design's high level of public engagement, creativity and experience in town centre regeneration programmes will ensure our strategies are developed to best support our communities in both towns.

"I encourage local residents, businesses and visitors to have their say in the development of the Town Centre Strategies for Thatcham and Hungerford to help shape your future town centres."

The survey is open from Monday 5 December 2022 until Monday 9 of January 2023, with the Strategies themselves due to be completed by the beginning of March 2023.

To have your say, please complete the survey here: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/thatcham-hungerford-strategies.

Please forward this survey on to as many others as you can, particularly young people and those who may not regularly be online. Paper copies will be available from Thatcham Town Council, Hungerford Town Council, Thatcham Library and Hungerford Hub and Library.

More information on West Berkshire town centres and high streets can be found here: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/towncentres.

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Note:

The work being undertaken by Hemingway Design on behalf of West Berkshire Council is to find opportunities to increase economic opportunities for local business. This work should not be confused with the Local Plan Review which is setting the direction for strategic growth and development across the District.