Wokingham

Town centres across the Wokingham district have a new representative to help drive forward their development and prosperity after a new champion was announced by Wokingham District Council.

Cllr Chris Bowring has been announced as Wokingham council’s champion for town centres, looking at how the council can best support traders, residents and town centre visitors so that the district’s town centres prosper in years to come.

“I’m delighted to be helping and supporting the decision-making executive with town centre initiatives. Our town centres are vital to the district’s appeal, both for businesses and residents, and I will be looking at all the ways the council can support them,” said Cllr Bowring.

And one of Wokingham Cllr Bowring’s first priorities is moving forward the council’s high-profile Key to the Gateway project.

“This is a vital project looking at the future for Wokingham town centre and how we can best utilise land close to the heart of our town,” he said.

“I’m very keen to get the most widespread response possible to our consultation on the development of the Elms Field area in Wellington Road. And, with less than a week to go for people to send in their ideas, I really would like to appeal to residents and businesses to have a think about what sort of area they’d like to see at the southern end of the town.

“Nothing is decided yet and all views will be seriously considered. Please contribute to the consultation if you can.”

Displays explaining the Key to the Gateway initiative can be viewed at the council’s Shute End offices, Wokingham Town Hall and Wokingham Library, where leaflets are also available. Alternatively, information is available on the council’s website at www.wokingham.gov.uk.

Wokingham council is calling for strong, well-thought out ideas that feature a balance of uses. In order for ideas to be progressed, they will need to be self-financing, viable, sustainable and meet identified needs of the community.

Ideas should be submitted by July 17, 2006, to ‘Key to the Gateway’, Property Services, Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1WH. Alternatively, ideas can be emailed to keytothegateway@wokingham.gov.uk

Wokingham District Council