BETTER THAN BEFORE!
TOWN TEAM PLANS PURGE TO CLEAN UP THE STREETS, DECORATE EMPTY SHOPS WITH ART, PROMOTE BUSINESSES – AND GET THE HIGH STREET BACK ON ITS FEET...
THE people who tasked themselves with revitalising Ashbourne’s economy ahead of the coronavirus lockdown have now published a fivepoint plan for getting the high street back on its feet from next month.
Ashbourne Town Team, a network of volunteers and groups working behind the scenes to improve the town and its retail scene, have responded to the government’s announcement last week, suggesting some shops and businesses would be able to reopen from the start of June.
The response to this gradual easing of the lockdown measures has been to form an “action plan” with five key areas of focus, aimed at promoting the reopening of the town centre for shops that have been closed for the last few months.
The town team has been working with the town council, Ashcom and other groups to formulate its five-point plan and each area has now been laid out as follows:
A Safe Environment
The Town Team is asking traders to review how they can operate safely and comply with government guidelines.
Advice is currently being published for all sectors of business and the team hopes to share its own ideas alongside the government advice.
The group says this could include enhanced cleaning regimes, sanitising measures and controlled access to shops with a limit of the number of people visiting at any one time.
A spokesman said: “Sharing best practice between retailers will be key to ensuring that customers are secure in the knowledge that Ashbourne businesses are providing the very best service.
“We are keen to promote a safe shopping environment and this includes approaching the county council about the need to review narrow pedestrian access along St John St, particularly if people will need to queue for access to the shops.”
Shop and Support Local
Ashbourne Town Team says it wants to promote a positive attitude among the townsfolk and focus on all of the special assets Ashbourne has to offer.
During the Coronavirus outbreak, many retailers in Ashbourne have worked together to keep supplying goods to the community.
The scheme, which was organised by the Ashbourne Retailer Outreach group, has used social media and the News Telegraph to keep customers informed about opening times and delivery availability.
A spokesman for the town team said: “Once the restrictions are lifted we hope there will be a renewed impetus to shop locally after the lockdown experience. “We know that during this crisis, more people have valued and appreciated what the local high street can offer.
“We would like to celebrate the retailers who have been able to continue to trade and provide an essential service to our local community.
“A short video is being planned to celebrate some of the businesses who have been able to stay open and support our community during this time.
“We recognise that our local traders will be innovative and create new ways of engaging with customers.”
The retail sub-group of the Town Team is being led by Chloe Gibson of Market Place gift shop Optimum.
Its focus is to promote the town and to work together once businesses can reopen.
To find out more, search for the Ashbourne Traders Group on Facebook or email info@ ashbournetownteam.co.uk
Encouraging investment in our Town Centre
Another big step the town team hopes to take after emerging from the lockdown is looking at ways to broaden and strengthen the retail offering in the town centre.
The group hopes to encourage new investment from entrepreneurs and retailers where there is currently a gap in provision.
A spokesman explained: “We are undertaking an audit of local shops and businesses and will use this to try and identity the kind of businesses which are needed, together with what the local community would welcome to enhance the town centre offer.
“If you have any thoughts on this, please email us.”
Promoting Visual Arts
A scheme aimed at bringing visual art into the town centre would be another spring to the town team’s bow.
It hopes to carry on using displays of art work in town centre shop fronts and is working with the committee behind Ashbourne Festival to spur the project along.
A spokesman said: “Unfortunately the Arts Festival has been cancelled but we are hoping that some of the visual art could still be displayed.
“The festival committee are looking into this possibility which would add vitality and creativity to the reopening of the town centre.”
Town Centre spring clean
A new campaign is being launched to smarten up the town centre by weeding paved areas and sweeping up street debris ready for the shops to reopen.
A spokesman said: “We have surveyed the town centre and identified areas needing attention and need some volunteers to give us an hour or so of time to help us with this project.
“If you would like to take part, please email us.
“We want to ensure that the town centre is restored to its beautiful self to show that we all take pride in Ashbourne’s environment.
“The Town Team is committed to promoting a new, positive attitude towards Ashbourne’s special retail and business offering after the lockdown, working in partnership with our local community, local government, community organisations and local retailers.
“Shop Local and support Ashbourne’s retailers and businesses.”
● To find out more, or to help with the clear-up campaign, email info@ashbournetownteam.co.uk