Agenda item

The Town Centre Manager provided the Committee with an update on town centre activities and Slough Town Centre Partnership’s vision for the future of the town centre.  It was outlined that the Partnership, which comprised of members of the public, private, voluntary and community sectors had been instrumental in obtaining business views and sharing information on regeneration activities underway in Slough town. The focus of the Partnership was to position Slough town centre as a key business location as well as a local destination for shopping and leisure. In order to implement this vision which linked to the Five Year Plan Outcome 5, Priority “Creating a vibrant town centre”, a number of actions focussing on improving the image and perceptions of the town had been devised.

Members were informed that a town centre visitor satisfaction survey, undertaken in 2016, evaluated visitors’ views and perceptions of the town centre as well as identifying their needs and requirements. 65% of the respondents had indicated that improvements to the general appearance would encourage them to use Slough town centre. Respondents stated that the high concentration of betting shops, cash converter outlets, takeaways, pound shops, phone repair shops was deterring them from using the town centre. A number of Members asked whether the Town Centre Manager had explored the possibility of hosting a variety of alternative events, such as a Farmers Market or Arts and Crafts stalls, in an attempt to increase the number of visitors to the High Street. It was noted that a successful events programme, hosted by a range of stakeholders in collaboration with the Council, was delivered between April 2016 and February 2017 and it was envisaged that further activities would be delivered later in 2017. 

Anecdotal evidence had shown that the town centre has seen an increase in footfall since the opening of The Curve in September 2016. However, this was queried and a Member requested that footfall activity statistics be provided relating to visitors at the previous library site, for two years prior to the opening of the Curve, which would allow a meaningful comparison to be made. Concerns regarding anti-social behaviour at the Curve and disability access to facilities at the venue were raised. It was agreed that these matters would be raised with the management at the Curve.

Following the recent announcement that Abu Dhabi Investment Authority had acquired The Queensmere and Observatory shopping centres, details of the redevelopment plans were still awaited at this stage. It was anticipated however that this major investment would transform the centre into a residential, retail and leisure destination which could attract people from further afield and restore Slough’s role as a sub regional centre. Members sought assurances that the planned investment would be forthcoming and requested an indicative timetable be provided regarding development.  The Town Centre Manager informed Members that it was anticipated that a planning application was likely to submitted in mid 2018.

It was brought to Members attention that whilst there was significant development of regeneration and infrastructure projects progressing in the centre of Slough, it was advised that greater focus should also be given to the High Street. Consequently, the development and delivery of a Business Improvement District (BID) was raised as a possible solution to meeting the needs and requirements of residents, workers, shoppers and visitors.  Members were informed that a BID was a recognised model for engaging with stakeholders, particularly businesses and would be developed by the local business community for the benefit of the businesses, whilst also benefiting the rest of the community within the area.

Following a Member query, the Committee were informed that  a BID was established through a ballot of all those businesses involved, who were required to pay a levy. This ballot would follow a thorough research and consultation phase which would focus on the needs and requirements of the potential contributors within that location and, if successful, a BID levy would becomes mandatory for a period of up to five years.  A BID would then invest in its local area by delivering projects and services against an agreed business plan that would be designed to provide benefits to those who pay first and foremost whilst contributing to the wider community.

The Town Centre Manager explained that an expert placemaking consultancy would need to be appointed in order to carry out a scoping exercise and feasibility study, and if viable, a BID proposal will be produced followed by the development and implementation stages. It was envisaged the scoping exercise would be undertaken in late 2017, should Member approval be given to the BID proposal.

A range of issues were raised in the ensuing discussion regarding the evening and night time economy. It was noted that the town centre visitor satisfaction survey found that 59% of respondents said they did not visit Slough town centre in the evening; 69% of respondents stated a safe and secure town centre would encourage them to use Slough town centre in the evening; and 94% would not recommend Slough town centre as an evening destination. In order to address these points the Purple Flag programme had been identified as the possible solution to developing an evening and night time economy. It was explained that Purple Flag was the international accreditation scheme and “gold standard” for town centres in the evening and at night.  Places that were accredited with this status could fly the flag, to the benefit of their image, local perceptions and their local economies.  A Kickstart Workshop, an introduction to the Purple Flag programme was planned for later in 2017 to start the journey in applying for the accreditation. Members  requested that further information be provided, including financial costs of implementing the programme and criteria applied to assess accreditation. In addition, information relating other local authorities who had achieved Purple Flag Status would be useful. It was agreed that the information would be circulated to the Committee. 

Resolved –

a)  That the progress made to date in delivering the priority actions for town centre improvements be noted.

b)  That Cabinet be recommended to support the exploration of a Business Improvement District for Slough as the best possible solution for revitalising Slough Town Centre.