The Congleton Partnership Executive Meeting met recently, download the full meeting minutes HERE.
Highlights Include:
| Town Centre Report – J.MacArthur.
1. Town Centre: A new traders group has sent up and the January and February meetings were both well attended. As a result of these meetings and working with the traders we have: · Held a Fiver Fest Fortnight from the 15th – 29th February – 34 traders joined in with the aim of making residents aware of the great impact of spending locally (if every adult in Congleton spend £5 in a local shop rather than online or at the supermarket it would be worth £5.2 million to the local economy. This was part of the Totally Locally Scheme. · Held a Bonus Day Prize – to encourage people attending the Market to spend in shops – 24 shops took part – each put £5 into a prize pot. Gave free tickets to people spending over £5. Waiting for a couple of shops to come back and will be drawn tomorrow. 1st prize £60, 2nd £40 and 3rd £20 – prizes in vouchers that can only be spent in the participating shops. · Traders Group What’s App – is now active for the shops – it is administered by the shops and is still growing in numbers, but a great way of sending quick messages to the shops.
Shop Occupancy Rate: – currently stands at 191 unties out of 204 units – (does not include the units in Capital Walk or the Scarborough properties on Mill Street)
New Shops Air Ambulance Charity Shop in Market Street Willow Vintage and Gifts Larvin and Clegg Funeral Directors (was Antrobus Butchers)
Name Change: Cassa Piccola – Formerly Sam’s
Recently Closed Shops Foundations in the Pedestrian area Fizz and Chips – Lawton Street Moss Butchers – Antrobus Street
Work in Progress Former Royal Bank of Scotland – Food Former Co-op/Britannia Bank – Gym (checking what has happened) Former Retro Shop Pedestrian Area – Training Centre Former Broken Cross – Bar (same people as Rumba due to open March) Cotton Club – reopening as a café/bistro Wild and Wild will be closed from the 9th March to 20th March for refurbishing
Notice Given TSB Bank – October 2020
A small working group continues to meet with a small group of Market Traders to look at options to try and improve Congleton Market. Congleton Makers Market will continue on the last Saturday of the month.
Now working on Easter Easter Treats Day – Tuesday 7th April Easter Hop around the Shops – 4th – 20th April (bunny trail)
Cheshire East Vitality Plan CEC delayed work on this due to budget constraints. They are currently assessing the tenders and hope to agree on a favoured provider on the 9th March with the aim of work starting in April. Congleton has asked to be in the first tranche – but this will be decided with whoever wins the contract.
Congleton in Bloom At the end of January we had the official notification that Congleton is in the National in Bloom finals 2020. The first Town Tidy will be held next Saturday (7th March) in partnership with Friends of Congleton Park and Plastic Free Congleton. There will be another on the 21st March which is part of National Spring Clean and then on the first Saturday of every month. Judging likely to be around the 8th August for Britain in Bloom and late July for North West in Bloom.
Congleton App The Town Council has partnered with Canalside Radio to introduce an App for Congleton. The App will be very similar to the Macc App – so will contain information on places to eat, drink and party, Local businesses and shops, What’s on, Local news, Charities, Local services and Leisure, Walking Trails, Listen to Canalside Radio.
Margaret Williamson Fund Applications are starting to come in for the Margaret Williamson fund – we have had 5 so far. Close of applications is on the 20th March,
Bear Necessities The next edition will be distributed from the 6th April and will be written by the 19th March – please let Jackie Mac know if you have articles that you would like included.
Post Offices – DM rasied the issue of Post Office provisions across the town. What was the situation re Buglawton (closed at present – reopen Mar?) were people aware where the other Post Offices were and where are we at with a site in the town centre. Action:- J Mac to put a positive article in the next Bear Necessities. GW to write to Post Office Counters (Jackie has the contact details) regarding the current situation regarding a Post Office in the town centre.
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