North Shropshire town will play host to High Street revival event
A new event which is set to shine a spotlight on breathing new life into the county's town centres is set to be held in Market Drayton.
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The High Street ‘Meeting of Minds’ seminar will be staged on April 24 from 2pm until 4:30pm at The Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton.
The event will be led by Sally Themans of Shropshire consultants Good2Great, an experienced ‘High Street champion’ who has worked with towns and individual retailers across the Midlands, advising on uniting communities, businesses and authorities to drive change and create healthy local economies.
“This seminar will explore the role community plays in shaping prominent and important assets within a place and is set to be a very useful event which will be attended by people from across the Midlands,” she said.
“We hope that it will be insightful and informative and will assist in boosting our town centres.
“Delegates will be exploring community ownership and breaking the deadlock on empty High Street properties which are often poorly maintained a can prove a real obstacle to the best efforts of high street regeneration.
“We are delighted to have an exciting line up of guests, including Theo Heren, Head of High Streets Policy at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, as key speaker, who will be talking about the new ‘High Street Rental Auctions’ initiative, and Iain Nicholson, founder of The Vacant Shops Academy.
“Themes will explore innovative approaches to revitalising town centres, strategies for sustainable local development and fostering community collaboration to create thriving spaces.”
Theo Heren will be joined on the day by Charlotte Hollins of Fordhall Organic Farm in Market Drayton, England’s first community-owned farm.
She is general manager of the Fordhall Community Land Initiative, a published author, consultant on land-based community ownership and a key leader in the ‘We’re Right Here’ campaign for a Community Power Act.
“Fordhall is a national asset and a pioneering example of what can be achieved when we work collaboratively – she will be a fascinating speaker. We will also hear from George Vernon MBE, founder and trustee of the community-owned arts centre in Market Drayton ‘Festival Drayton’ and our venue for the day,” Sally added.
