Wiltshire Council working with town councils to develop projects to improve town centres

Wiltshire Council is working in partnership with town councils around the county to develop projects that will attract more visitors to town centres. The projects look to create wider town centre visions that will bring a range of improvements, improving vibrancy and enhancing the local economy.

The project starts with a regeneration scheme in Westbury, where both Wiltshire Council and Westbury Town Council are developing a scheme for a future funding bid that will look to improve the town's library, high street and the surrounding areas.

The Westbury bid will build upon the existing town centre vision and masterplan, developing and refining some of the emerging proposals with the aim of supporting a strong narrative and case for funding to improve the town. Then, when opportunities for funding become available, Wiltshire Council will be best-placed to submit a high-quality bid.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council and Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: "We know that there are many challenges facing our high streets and town centres, and that's why we're investing £1m a year across all 18 towns in the county through the Wiltshire Towns Programme.

"Our officers are working closely with town councils to create visions and projects for high streets that encourage people to visit, stay and ultimately spend money. High streets are changing, and we need to create a range of unique offers to make them more vibrant and give people different reasons to visit that aren't solely focused on retail.

"In Westbury, in partnership with the town council, we are creating a plan that will be ready to bid for funding as soon as it becomes available.

"As part of our Business Plan, we're committed to creating vibrant, well-connected communities, and the Wiltshire Towns Programme is at the heart of that."

Cllr Mark Bailey, Chair of Westbury Town Council's Vision for Westbury Sub-Committee, said: "Westbury Town Council are very pleased that Wiltshire Council have seen the potential of our Vision for the town centre, and we are delighted to have this opportunity to work together to further develop our plans for the future of Westbury."

To find out more about the Wiltshire Towns Programme, people should email Vibrant.Wiltshire@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window); or to find out more about Westbury Town Council's town centre vision, people should visit Westbury Town Council's website (opens new window).