Town centre manager reflects on first successful Wokingham year
Wokingham’s town centre manager says despite a year of success, which has seen continental markets, fun fairs and the circus come to town, he still has more plans up his sleeve to make the heart of Wokingham even better.
Brian Newman, who took on the role of Wokingham town centre manager on December 5, 2006 has been reflecting on his first successful year in post – which has seen a flurry of new markets tempt shoppers to the town and entertainment provided for youngsters.
Since he first took over at the helm Mr Newman’s achievements have included organising three successful continental and two Italian markets in the town centre, where shoppers were treated to goodies such as fancy cheese and luxury leather goods from Europe.
He also organised a monthly craft and produce market, which ran from May to December this year, which enticed more people to Wokingham town centre and will return in 2008. The Food and Trade Show in September was also a crowd puller and is set to become an annual feature.
Since Mr Newman took post, children have continued to enjoy three funfairs at Elms Field over the summer and the magical mystery of a circus that came to town in October.
Access to the town centre and its narrow streets has also been a challenge that Mr Newman has tackled, especially with the monitoring of A-boards, which have decreased by 25 per cent in recent months, achieved through his work with the Wokingham Area Access Group.
Mr Newman’s been involved in promoting the town so people from the Wokingham borough and surrounding areas know what’s going on. The Wokingham Shoppers Guide, available in 40 offices, gives information on what’s on offer in the town centre while the shopwokingham website makes it easier for residents and businesses to see what Wokingham’s historic market town is all about.
Re-launching Wokingham town centre’s security radio scheme, a joint initiative with the police, has been part of Mr Newman’s strategy to provide additional security to businesses including retailers, restaurants, pubs and bars and has so far attracted 50 members since November.
Since Mr Newman took post he’s introduced a monthly newsletter for all businesses and a bi- monthly retail forum to provide retailers with the chance to have their say on how Mr Newman and everyone else can work together to make Wokingham town centre even better.
Mr Newman organised the Wokingham Town Spring Clean earlier this year and, with the help of councillors, schoolchildren and 30 residents, he was able to get the town centre to look fresh and bright in preparation for a buoyant summer.
Brian Newman, who took on the role of Wokingham town centre manager on December 5, 2006 has been reflecting on his first successful year in post – which has seen a flurry of new markets tempt shoppers to the town and entertainment provided for youngsters.
Since he first took over at the helm Mr Newman’s achievements have included organising three successful continental and two Italian markets in the town centre, where shoppers were treated to goodies such as fancy cheese and luxury leather goods from Europe.
He also organised a monthly craft and produce market, which ran from May to December this year, which enticed more people to Wokingham town centre and will return in 2008. The Food and Trade Show in September was also a crowd puller and is set to become an annual feature.
Since Mr Newman took post, children have continued to enjoy three funfairs at Elms Field over the summer and the magical mystery of a circus that came to town in October.
Access to the town centre and its narrow streets has also been a challenge that Mr Newman has tackled, especially with the monitoring of A-boards, which have decreased by 25 per cent in recent months, achieved through his work with the Wokingham Area Access Group.
Mr Newman’s been involved in promoting the town so people from the Wokingham borough and surrounding areas know what’s going on. The Wokingham Shoppers Guide, available in 40 offices, gives information on what’s on offer in the town centre while the shopwokingham website makes it easier for residents and businesses to see what Wokingham’s historic market town is all about.
Re-launching Wokingham town centre’s security radio scheme, a joint initiative with the police, has been part of Mr Newman’s strategy to provide additional security to businesses including retailers, restaurants, pubs and bars and has so far attracted 50 members since November.
Since Mr Newman took post he’s introduced a monthly newsletter for all businesses and a bi- monthly retail forum to provide retailers with the chance to have their say on how Mr Newman and everyone else can work together to make Wokingham town centre even better.
Mr Newman organised the Wokingham Town Spring Clean earlier this year and, with the help of councillors, schoolchildren and 30 residents, he was able to get the town centre to look fresh and bright in preparation for a buoyant summer.
Wokingham Borough Council
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