‘Positive’ meeting about town centre strategy
LOCAL businesses, resident and community groups were invited to a special Ormskirk event to learn more about the work involved in the Ormskirk Town Centre Strategy and its aims to ensure the area’s vibrant future.
The event provided an opportunity for businesses and organisations in the town centre to come together and hear about the work currently being delivered by the Ormskirk Town Centre Management Group and how they can become involved in future events and new initiatives to enhance the town centre and increase footfall.
The event highlighted how the individual partners were working together within the group to improve the town centre offer and encouraged those who are passionate about Ormskirk to join forces to deliver positive messages about the town, as well as get involved in upcoming events.
There were a number of key speakers at the event including Leader of West Lancashire Borough Council, Councillor Ian Moran; Andrea Smith, the store manager of Marks and Spencer; representatives from the Ormskirk Business Group; Ormskirk Community Partnership and council staff.
The event highlighted the positive position Ormskirk is in having consistently higher footfall figures on market days and lower empty shop vacancy rates than the national and regional average.
There was also a presentation in relation to the new Ormskirk Town Centre branding, which has been developed.
Examples were shown of how the branding can be used in a variety of ways by different businesses and organisations to collectively promote Ormskirk.
An overview was also provided of a new website for Ormskirk Town Centre which is currently being developed.
Cllr Moran said: “Great strides have already been made to deliver improvements through the Ormskirk Town Centre Strategy and I am sure with the help of everyone who attended we can go from strength to strength.
“It was great to hear the ideas and passion from so many local businesses, and if there are others who didn’t attend who want to help ensure Ormskirk town centre becomes an even better place to live, work and visit then please contact us.”
Andrea Smith, Store Manager at Marks & Spencer said: “These are really exciting times for businesses in Ormskirk. M&S are looking forward to getting involved and helping to improve the town centre.”
Dave Coyle owner of the Cricketers in Ormskirk said: “The room was full of positive energy and ideas and I am sure we can build on this momentum to ensure that Ormskirk continues to thrive and adapt to meet the changing needs of the town centre.”
For more information on the Ormskirk Town Centre Strategy please visit www. westlancs.gov.uk/ regeneration
If you are a business who wants to find out more about the Ormskirk Town Centre Management Group please contact the Council’s Economic Regeneration team by emailing lets. talk’westlancs.gov.uk or by calling 01695 712 692.