New event will look at revitalising town centres
A new event which will look at how town centres can be revitalised is to be held this spring in Shropshire.
The High Street ‘Meeting of Minds’ seminar is the latest in a series of events to be hosted by Good2Great, a Shropshire-based consultancy which specialises in helping businesses to grow and High Streets to thrive.
It will be staged on April 24 from 2pm until 4:30pm at The Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton.
Sally Themans of Good2Great, who will lead the event, is an experienced ‘High Street champion’ who has worked with towns and individual retailers across the Midlands, advising on uniting communities, businesses and authorities to drive change and create healthy local economies.
Sally has been successful with her Love Bridgnorth, Love Wellington and Love Shifnal campaigns as well as High Street Boost programmes in Stafford and South Staffordshire.
“This seminar will explore the role community plays in shaping prominent and important assets within a place and is set to be a very useful event which will be attended by people from across the Midlands,” she said.
“We hope that it will be insightful and informative and will assist in boosting our town centres.
“Delegates will be exploring community ownership and breaking the deadlock on empty High Street properties which are often poorly maintained a can prove a real obstacle to the best efforts of high street regeneration.
“We are delighted to have an exciting line up of guests, including Theo Heren, Head of High Streets Policy at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, as key speaker, who will be talking about the new ‘High Street Rental Auctions’ initiative, and Iain Nicholson, founder of The Vacant Shops Academy.
“Themes will explore innovative approaches to revitalising town centres, strategies for sustainable local development and fostering community collaboration to create thriving spaces.”
He will be joined on the day by Charlotte Hollins of Fordhall Organic Farm in Market Drayton, England’s first community-owned farm. She is general manager of the Fordhall Community Land Initiative, a published author, consultant on land-based community ownership and a key leader in the ‘We’re Right Here’ campaign for a Community Power Act.
“Fordhall is a national asset and a pioneering example of what can be achieved when we work collaboratively – she will be a fascinating speaker. We will also hear from George Vernon MBE, founder and trustee of the community-owned arts centre in Market Drayton ‘Festival Drayton’ and our venue for the day,” Sally added.
Anyone interested in attending should email jenna@good-2-great.co.uk
