YOU TELL US WHAT YOU WANT FOR YOUR TOWN
MORE restaurants and solving notorious traffic problems are high on residents’ wish-lists when it comes to improving Nuneaton town centre.
Attracting new places to eat and actually being able to get into the town are, according to householders, is key to giving the town centre a muchneeded boost.
Issues surrounding the cost of parking and the lack of ‘big name’ shops were also a common theme during an online debate hosted by Telegraph to discuss how to make the town centre thrive.
There were some innovative ideas put forward, such a covering the whole town centre, making it one giant indoor shopping centre, and other ideas such as breathing life back into the former Co-op building.
But Jonathan White, the borough council’s town centre manager, said that the town already has a lot to shout about.
“Nuneaton has a very strong retail offer, by far the best in the area outside major cities. It also has a wonderful traditional street market right at the heart of town, which draws visitors from far and wide and creates a vibrant community feel.,” he said,
“The town has a great heritage with some wonderful Georgian buildings with the river and the beautiful Riversley Park right on the doorstep.”
But he says that people have to accept that things have to change, the town centre will never be what is was several decades ago and we have to embrace what we have got and projects planned for the future, including the Nuneaton Transformation Project, which will see £7.5m pumped into the town. But Nuneaton’s voice in Parliament, Marcus Jones agrees that town is crying out for places for people to spend their leisure time.
“I would like to see the type of modern bars and restaurants which have made such a difference to places like Hinckley and Rugby,” he said.
“I would also like to see a cultural and entertainment offer that would give people reasons, alongside shopping, to visit and spend time in the town. And create an evening economy where people over 30 can spend their leisure time.
“This would increase footfall and the amount of money coming into town for other retailers which then increases the chances of getting a better quality of shops.”
He said that the ultimate vision for the town centre is bringing it into the 21st century - making it a place for people to work, live and spend leisure time in. There were plans to create places to live in Bridge Street but the project has been scrapped.
“We need to, in my opinion, open Harefield Road, Newdigate Street and Abbey Street back up to traffic, with short stay parking bays so that small businesses are not cut off from their customers,” Mr Jones added.
“To do this we need to attract investment into the sites at Vicarage Street, the old Co-op and the bus station.”
He said that there are a ‘number of investors’ who are keen on bringing much-needed additions to the town centre but Mr Jones said it will take better working between himself, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Warwickshire County Council and local businesses to help make it happen.
Jo Williams, who owns Joco Interiors in the Abbeygate Shopping Centre, said that the town is not making the most of its best features - such as George Eliot.
“The town needs to SHOUT about what it does have instead of con-
centrating on the problems, which every town has but they don’t make a big thing of it,” the local business woman said.
“I think next year or possibly the year after marks the 100 year anniversary and this needs to be a big deal. Special town wide events, in the park, town and other historical sites which we have here but don’t often know about.
“She also says that action needs to be taken to tackle anti-social behaviour in the town, stopping large groups of children from congregating, potentially even adopting a Swedish-like system where curfews are imposed on children.”
She too agreed that another way to make the town more attractive is to boost the offer in the evenings, adding: “I would like to see more evening eateries open in the town. We need to create a warm and inviting town centre in the evenings as well as through the day. Many independent shops have opened but in order for them to survive they must be used. Social media has a major impact, good and bad on occasion. Keep using the town centre even if only one shop per week.”
There are plans to transform the town centre in the pipeline, there is the £7.5m Nuneaton Transformation Project as well as Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council’s goal of securing a developer for the Upper Abbey Street regeneration scheme, including the former Ritz Bingo Hall, by December next year.