INDIES TO OPEN IN ELMS FIELD

WOKINGHAM town centre will soon become home to three more independent retailers.

The businesses have signed up to open units as part of the town centre regeneration project.

Peacock House Interiors and The Vale Clinic will soon be opening their doors in Elms Field, and new bistro Hamlet will welcome customers in Peach Place.

The owners of the bistro have a background in fine dining and want to bring the best of British food and produce to the town, while Peacock House Interiors is set to open a furniture and home goods store.

The Vale Clinic, which also has a branch in Earley, will offer a range of podiatry services. It has already opened its doors on the corner of ElmsWalk and Denmark Street.

“These are three fantastic new businesses, who really fit with the vision we had for a town which offers people a great range of independents and national names,” said Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor, executive member for regeneration.

“Each one brings something new while reflecting how the high street has changed to become the place people go to socialise, access services, aswell as to shop.”

Despite lockdown restrictions, Cllr Haitham Taylor said

Wokinghamremains a great place to visit.

“Spaces like Elms Field and Peach Place are already a real asset and set to becomemore so as they can come into their own with entertainment and events,” she added.

Other units in the town centre remain under offer, with more announcements set to come this spring.

“It’s been an incredibly difficult period for all the town centre’s businesses,” Cllr Haitham Taylor continued. “Despite this, Wokingham has continued to attract newbusinesseswho feel that the town is on a great road to recovery.

“The support local residents have shown for the businesses who have kept going through this period is wonderful and we very much hope people will continue to support businesses and shop local as much as they can.”

Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, leader ofWokingham Town Council, alsowelcomed the newretailers.

“There is a demand for new and independent shops in Wokingham, and it has to do with the fact that people are just not commuting anymore,” she said.

“After lockdown, I think we’re going to have new ways of doing business and I think the smaller retailers that provide local services are the ones thatwill survive.”