‘Predictably conservative’ response to piazza idea

A STRUGGLE is under way for the “heart and soul” of Hungerford town centre.

Leading the charge for radical change and regeneration is former town mayor Martin Crane.

As reported by this newspaper in February, Mr Crane has challenged civic leaders to embrace a bold new vision for Hungerford.

Mr Crane has also revived calls for a continental-style ‘piazza’ in front of the town hall and warned that “no change is not an option”.

But the Town & Manor of Hungerford – the charity that owns the Town Hall and surrounding area – is pushing back.

Mr Crane said the response was “predictably conservative” and added that his vision is for the whole of the High Street area “and not just the parts that are owned by the Town & Manor – albeit that that area would play a major part in the regeneration”.

He has called for the charity, the chamber of commerce and the town council to work together to “recover the heart and soul of our town”.

Mr Crane has written back to the Town & Manor stating: “Pedestrianisation of high streets has been found to work well in many towns, large and small, and if the result is an attractive

The current Hungerford High Street scene and, right, former mayor Martin Crane, who wants a new piazza

shopping environment, consumers are prepared to walk those few extra yards – for example, as in Newbury.

“Again, I would invite all parties including our residents to share their views on how Hungerford reacts to the impact Covid-19 has rendered on our town.”

He reiterated his view that “my concept may not be the right one but no change is not an option”.

Mr Crane went on: “History surely shows that Hungerford can absorb major changes; hosting the Kennet

and Avon Canal, the Great Western Railway, the M4 – and even the Town & Manor has moved four times to a new town hall.

“I hope that we can encourage a multi-level approach to this issue and not to be blind to the dangers of not acting positively to very real challenge facing all towns.”

Town mayor Helen Simpson stressed the area in question was the property of the Town & Manor and that the town council had not formally debated suggestions for

partial pedestrianisation.

She said: “Having said that, we are keen to see the High Street thrive and flourish.

“We campaign for free or reduced cost parking and we fund Smarten Up Hungerford to provide flowers and tubs, so we support retailers in that way.”

Meanwhile the Newbury Weekly News has contacted the trustees of the Town & Manor of Hungerford for their official stance on Mr Crane’s suggestions and will publish any response next week.