advertisement
Fresh funding to boost Woodley's footfall
March 12, 2010
Town centre bosses in Woodley are predicting a bright future for the local economy after funding to help improve footfall was secured for two more years.
Wokingham Borough Council has shown its support to the Woodley Town Centre Management Initiative (WTCMI) by agreeing to provide £14,000 a year for the next two financial years.
There were fears the £15,000 the council put forward last year was to be its last.
The money, which is being almost doubled by a £12,300 annual contribution from Woodley Town Council, will go towards consolidating events such as the Winter Extravaganza and helping strengthen attractions like the monthly and weekly markets.
Jacques Lherbier, town centre manager, said: “It’s excellent news. As I have said before, without support it would be difficult to carry on with the WTCMI and events in the town centre.
“Hopefully we will try and organise more events in the town centre, depending on the money we have got, but it will help consolidate things we already run which are proving to be beneficial for the footfall and generate substantial revenue.
“In what is a poor economic time for the country Woodley appears to be riding the tides very well. The future looks reasonably bright.”
In another boost for the town the pagoda in the shopping precinct in Crockhamwell Road is set for a new lease of life – and ownership – after the borough council agreed to a revamp before handing it over to the town council.
The pagoda is used by charities and music groups for tabletop sales and performances, but needs repairs.
Councillor Keith Baker, ward member for Coronation, said: “After all of the scaremongering of last year we have committed two years’ funding to Woodley.
“A lot of significant changes have been made to how grant applications are processed because applications are now passed over to the Local Strategic Partnership. I have managed to negotiate funding for the WTCMI so it didn’t have to physically go through the process itself.
“We are currently in negotiations with the WTCMI as well about the pagoda in the precinct because at the last [WTCMI] meeting there seemed to be a strong feeling the town centre manager should take it over.
“Everybody appears to be in agreement and all that is needed to do now is sign the paperwork because safeguards need to be made – it is not a simple question of handing it over.
“But it will be handed over following a complete refurbishment.”
However, Cllr Beth Rowland, leader of Woodley Town Council and WTCMI member, said: “We have agreed in principle to take over the pagoda provided it is in tip top condition. It needs some work doing to it but it is fairly cosmetic, but we won’t take on anything which will cost us to repair or administer.”
When asked about the funding Cllr Rowland said: “It is certainly good news but the WTCMI as a whole group, and not just the town centre manager, does a lot for Woodley.
“Woodley needs to grow and increase footfall.
“It is also good news the town council has managed to increase its funding by two per cent as well, funding which is kept firmly within the town.”
Most recent user comments 3 of 3
Lot better looking than it was although i used to like the big clock with exposed mechanism. Go ona saturday morning when the market is on and it is quite bustling
17/03/2010 at 12:51 Offensive or Inappropriate?
Please let us know the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.
16/03/2010 at 12:27 Offensive or Inappropriate?
Please let us know the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.
12/03/2010 at 13:18 Offensive or Inappropriate?
Please let us know the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.