Sandown has a ‘golden opportunity’ to improve its high street, according to town councillor Ian Ward, as a government task force steps in.
It has been labelled an area of specific challenge and has been selected by the Isle of Wight council as one that would benefit from support from the ‘High Street Task Force’.
The task force was set up in 2019, part of the government’s ‘Plan for the High Street’, and is chaired by entrepreneur Sir John Timpson, of Timpson, the shoe repairers.
New strategy will be formed
Meetings and a potential town tour will see problems highlighted, plus a new strategy to help the ‘underperforming town centre’.
The aim is to help leaders make the best decisions, both about high streets and for their communities.
At the moment, there is no guaranteed funding available to allow town councillors to act on recommendations, but it is hoped there could be in the future.
Lightfoot: “Opportunistic”
At its meeting earlier this week, Sandown Town Council (STC) welcomed the move.
Sandown mayor, Cllr Paddy Lightfoot, said it was ‘opportunistic’ because the town council had wanted to do more but had struggled with funding.
Ward: We have professionals looking at our problem
Cllr Ward said when funding becomes available, at a later date, the town council would have a plan on the shelf it can use.
Cllr Ward said,
“This is a golden opportunity we would not want to miss.
“We have professionals looking at our problem and I am pleased the Isle of Wight Council pushed this in our direction, instead of elsewhere.”
A meeting will take place in the coming weeks between key stakeholders.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
