Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Economic Development at West Berkshire Council!
 As it approaches the festive seasons, we would like to share all the exciting things that has happened in 2023 from our team as well as what’s to come in the future!
Throughout the year, we have celebrated local independent businesses through our sponsorship of the Newbury Business Awards. We also created an online directory showcasing our local sustainable businesses on our website.
We have used the UKSPF funding to support the Berkshire Growth Hub with rolling out Business Start Up Programmes and Business High Growth Programmes which we have had substantial interest from West Berkshire residents and businesses.
In terms of our large projects, we have started rolling out our Newbury Town Centre strategy with the redevelopment of the Wharf. We have also been working with Newbury BID to showcase the town centre and attract visitors and residents alike. London Road Industrial Estate has been renamed to Bond Riverside after we held a local naming competition with students; this encouraged our young people to think about the historical and developmental aspects of the project.
We have also held multiple engagement events: in the Summer we held the first WBC Supplier event where we invited local businesses to come and speak to our Procurement team to understand how our procurement works and register on the supplier list. In November, we held our annual Rural Business Forum to talk about Rural development and invited speakers from Dyson Farm and Reading University to share their insights into Rural Development.
As we go into 2024, we will be focusing on the key projects regarding our town centres and Bond Riverside, as well as looking at new projects such as Whole Estate Plans; we will work closer with our Planning teams to ensure businesses understand our processes. We will also be assessing applications to the Rural Business Fund for projects that enhance our Rural Economy.
New Investment for West Berkshire’s Rural Communities
 We’re pleased to announce that West Berkshire’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) business grant scheme is now live! The grant is a fantastic opportunity for local small rural businesses to apply for funding to support capital initiatives.
In total we have been awarded £597,994 REPF under the Government’s Levelling Up scheme, with half of the allocation (£297,994) to be distributed across our rural areas as part of the scheme.
The funding will be allocated over two financial years, with £99,498 being provided in 2023/2024, and a further £198,495 in 2024/2025. The business grants will range between £10,000 to £40,000 and will be awarded to businesses on a rolling basis over the lifetime of the scheme.
The main aim of the REPF business grant is to stimulate economic growth within West Berkshire’s rural economy, in line with our Rural Economy Policy, by encouraging small businesses to invest in diversification ventures, sustainable energy, new production methods, and the conversion of derelict farm buildings for commercial use.
Successful projects should help to improve the long-term sustainability and resilience of the rural economy, and this will in turn help maintain the vibrancy and viability of our rural communities.
Some types of projects that are eligible for the Fund are the conversion of derelict farm buildings to new commercial uses, net-zero initiatives for rural businesses, agritourism, and the purchase of equipment to diversify outside of traditional agriculture.
Cllr Martin Colston, Executive Member for Regeneration, Growth and Strategy Development at West Berkshire Council, said: “This is an excellent chance to invest in and stimulate private sector growth amongst our small rural businesses.
“West Berkshire’s rural communities are a key part of our district’s identity, culture, and economy. Ensuring their long-term viability is crucial to the prosperity of the entire district. That’s why we’re offering funding to support our small rural business to diversify or to fund projects outside conventional agriculture.”
Guidance on applying for the REPF business grant scheme can be found on the Council’s website, https://www.westberks.gov.uk/repfgrantscheme. The scheme will be running from now until March 2025, with funding awarded on a rolling basis over this period. However, businesses are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Your Town, Your Vision!
 Plans to develop visions for our town centres to ensure they serve current and future needs are taking shape.
Over the past few months, work to develop plans for Newbury, Hungerford, and Thatcham have been progressing through a new steering group. As local views are at the heart of this work, the meetings are chaired by local councillors who are collaborating with elected representatives from local communities and businesses for each town.
Two productive meetings so far have focussed on prioritising the various projects outlined in the three strategic action plans. You can read the minutes from these meetings here: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/article/42430/Town-Centre-Governance.
Local representation on the steering group assists in delivering our new Council Strategy which makes a commitment to work with partners and local communities to enhance our main towns and large villages.
Are you interested in being a local representative as your input is crucial. Contact Cllr Martin Colston on: Martin.Colston1@westberks.gov.uk to discuss opportunities on being part of the community's progress. Alternatively, you can share your ideas to develop our town centres to Cllr James Cole (Hungerford), Cllr Owen Jeffrey (Thatcham), and Andy Moore (Newbury Town Council).
Transformative vision for Newbury's Wharf takes a significant leap forward
 Planning permission submitted for next step to improving the Wharf
Exciting proposals are progressing as we propel forward with plans to revitalise some of our town centres.
One of our main visions is the Newbury Town Centre Masterplan which looks to broaden the leisure, community and cultural experience to help the town centre transform into a space for social interaction, economic growth, civic engagement and community activities.
The revitalisation of the Wharf was identified as a priority in the Newbury Masterplan. The transformation includes changing part of the car park within the Wharf to hold events, improve visitor experience, and provide a new attraction within Newbury town centre.
Adams & Sutherland, a renowned multidisciplinary architectural and urban landscape consultancy from London, have been enlisted to breathe life into this vision. Adams & Sutherland previously worked with us back in April 2022, when they developed an outline design for the Wharf as part of the feasibility study.
A planning application has been submitted for phase 1 of the Wharf project, which involves improvements to the public access along the Waterfront (project A) and a Peace Garden (project C). Both projects are set to improve and transform the current space into a more inviting and welcoming place.
The Waterfront key features:
- Redefine the Wharf edge and transform into a more inviting and welcoming place.
- Activate the space with improved provision for leisure and purposeful street furniture.
- Introduce a new strip of surface which cradles the waterfront unifying the space.
- Address the edge condition by installing new hardwood edging along the length of the waterfront.
The Peace Garden key features:
- Develop a new adjusted landscape with revived character.
- Create a more formal garden with dense planting supported by seating integrated into the landscape.
- Implement planters both within existing soft landscape and extend onto hard landscape.
- Improve visual connectivity with the Waterfront.
- Create a new path structure.
Grant funding of £375,000 from the Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership and £420,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund underlines the commitment to this first phase of this transformative project. At this stage all funding committed to the project is external grant funding, and we will keep bidding for more from other sources to undertake the full scope of the vision for the site.
Waste Less This Christmas
Find out ways to reduce your waste this Christmas along with the latest collection dates for the festive season!
Police and Crime Commissioner engagement on draft Retail Crime Strategy
Following engagement with businesses over recent months, Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber has developed a draft Retail Crime Strategy to improve the response to retail crime across the Thames Valley.
He is now seeking further feedback from retailers on the draft strategy which incorporates tangible actions to support businesses, with the aim of publishing the final document in the new year.
Any retail organisations across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire or Milton Keynes can get involved and share their views on the strategy. To get involved, please email retailcrime@thamesvalley.police.uk for further details.
Thinking about your strategy for post Christmas Sales?
Here's 5 tips to enhance Sales and come up with your strategy!
- Have a goal.
- Segment customers.
- Consider the timing and message.
- Take deep discounts early.
- Learn from past events.
Read full article here
And finally...
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