Traders to join forces (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Traders to join forces

3:00pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in News By Tom Mooney

An initiative to help protect Calne town centre businesses has been hailed a success.

Calne Springs Forward, a forum set up by the town council and chamber of commerce, had its first meeting last Thursday, with more than 60 firms represented.

It provided a platform for business leaders to discuss ideas and look at how the town centre can flourish.

“It was brilliant,” said Mark Barrett, president of the chamber of commerce.

“We had probably 60 or so businesses attend and the things which came out of it were very positive.

“The whole point of it was that traders had the chance to talk to each other. They came up with some brilliant ideas.”

Jo Williamson, manager of the town’s new M&Co store, was also encouraged by the meeting.

She said: “There was a very good turnout and it was a step forward for businesses in Calne.

“We are now hoping to set up a town team to bring the ideas together, so I am on the lookout for some willing volunteers.”

Calne Springs Forward was set up after the Government’s Portas Review, which cast a shadow over the future of market towns.

But Mr Barrett said, despite a tough start to the year, Calne is holding up well compared with other towns in Wiltshire.

He said: “January is always hard and this year has been particularly bad. Businesses all had a tough year in 2011.

“But I don’t think Calne is doing as badly as others around, like Westbury and Chippenham.

“The number of empty shops in the town centre is less than this time last year. The concern is some of the same ones are empty, particularly a couple of prominent ones on the High Street.

“But people in Calne are really getting behind local trade and do support our town, so I think we have a bright future.”

Town clerk Linda Roberts said: “We got such an overwhelming response to this so we were very pleased with the turnout.

“It was really an ideas session and it was good to hear what people thought of the town – good and bad – and how we can improve it.

“We will help where we can but our role is as a facilitator. It is now up to the businesses to drive this forward. They need to get themselves together and set the agenda.

“I think collectively they will have a far stronger voice than as individuals.”