New 'Love Wellington' campaign is launched
A new campaign which aims to boost Wellington and encourage more visitors and businesses to the town has been launched.
The 'Love Wellington' movement also hopes that civic pride will be enhanced, meaning that local people will feel more positive about their environment.
The initiative is being supported by Wellington Town Council and the regeneration board of Telford & Wrekin Council and is led by business consultant Sally Themans who steered Bridgnorth to victory in the Great British High Street competition in 2016 through her platform Love Bridgnorth.
“Wellington is a great town with a lot going for it and we are determined to fight back against the national headlines declaring the death knell for the High Street,” said Sally who has helped small and medium businesses and retailers to thrive in a commercial career spanning 30 years.
More recently she has become a 'High Street champion' - part of the High Street Symposium providing evidence to the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government.
Cllr Cindy Mason-Morris, Mayor of Wellington said: “Wellington benefits from great transport links including free parking and a modern train station, parks and open spaces. There is a positive environment for all businesses especially, those that are forward thinking. Wellington Town Council continues to listen to residents and visitors and strives to deliver what they tell us that our town centre needs.”
Sally Themans continued by saying that although Wellington was not the same as it was 50 years ago it still had many great things to shout about and this is what Love Wellington intended to do.
She explained: “There are many high quality long-established businesses, as well as new exciting independents opening here, and so many people who really want to see the market and town centre thrive.
“It's true that there is an over capacity of retail space in Wellington but the repurposing of some of the units is underway and ventures such as The Orbit cinema in the former HSBC building and PR consultant Nathan Rous taking over the former NatWest building.
“There are also plans afoot to develop more residential space in the town centre which will create more demand for an enhanced night time economy.
“The Love Wellington team consists of local people who want to highlight its appeal. We are very excited about the future of the town and look forward to promoting its positive aspects during 2019.
“When people feel better about their town they are more likely to start changing their habits - staying and shopping in it - and the more they use it, the more it thrives as new businesses are attracted.
“It's not going to happen overnight, it’s a slow build, but we are delighted at progress so far, with almost 700 followers on Facebook in the first month,” Sally added.
