Town Centre Manager's Report
Effective consultation
Since our last edition South Lakes Development Trust has been instrumental in facilitating the positive consultation that is helping to formulate the final proposals for the A591 junction, and Crescent Road enhancement proposals.
The original plans raised considerable comment and many alternative proposals were suggested by businesses and residents alike. The feedback from the consultation process has now enabled changes to the plans which, it is believed, better reflect the needs of traders and shoppers in Windermere.
Many agree that Windermere is looking tired, the proposals will help to materially improve the physical appearance of the village and help to maintain this vibrant centre of local services.
For further information, and the latest available information, visit www.sldt.co.uk.
Old concept - new opportunity
A Lengthsman scheme is, in essence, the re-incarnation of an old concept; a local person contracted to maintain roadside verges and drainage, public open space and pathways.
Windermere Town Council, Lakes Parish Council and Cumbria County Council are working with South Lakes Development Trust to pursue an opportunity to establish a Lengthmans scheme. Hopefully a trial scheme can be launched in the near future.
In the meantime if you know of overhanging vegetation or plant growth affecting footpaths or the highway call Cumbria County Council’s Highways Hotline on 0845 609 6609.
Makeover plus
In addition to the 50% grant available to qualifying local independent retailers towards improving their shop front South Lakes Development Trust are now able to provide a limited amount of specialised Retail Consultancy expertise.
The complimentary advice is directed towards identifying opportunity to improve business performance by adoption of recommendations aimed at addressing challenges of presentation, layout, merchandising and customer service.
SLDT are now also able to deliver Welcome Host Training to the retail sector and will shortly be announcing dates for future courses.
For further information please contact reception@sldt.co.uk
In demand
Workspace units in the Lakes Futures Business Resource Centre have recently been in demand with three of the four units now occupied.
The workspace remaining offers an ideal environment for a variety of business use where independent space within a business environment offering administrative support from telephone answering to book keeping would help get things off the ground.
The unit is around 12sq.mts and available for £55 per week including telephone and broadband access on easy-in/easy-out terms.
For more information contact reception@sldt.co.uk or call 015394 40020