Maidenhead & Windsor

The Council this week hit back at suggestions that it is not doing enough to encourage town centre regeneration in Maidenhead.

And it called on critics of Maidenhead to enter into a more 'positive' dialogue in helping to bring about change.

Councillor Vicky Howes [Lib Dem: Cox Green], lead member for the town centre, said: "It's very easy to talk down Maidenhead and forget the tremendous progress that has already been achieved or the developments underway, particularly the massive Sainsbury's investment in the town and the successful new retail park at Stafferton Way.

"My concern is that by being negative about the isolated problem sites, we are in danger of damaging Maidenhead's reputation as a family-friendly town and not only driving away existing shoppers, but also anyone who might be thinking of coming here to live, work or shop in future."

She added: "The council has set a positive example to others with our refurbishment of the Town Hall and we are encouraging our courterparts in the private sector to follow the lead."

Her comments follow a series of recent meetings hosted by Maidenhead and District Chamber of Commerce, in which members outlined their proposals for town-centre redevelopment, including a supersize Tesco on the site of the football ground.

Some members of the Chamber claimed that Maidenhead was caught in a 'spiral of economic decline.

Others blamed the council for 'blocking attempts' to breathe new life into it.

But in a statement released this week, the royal borough said the 'ongoing revitalisation' of Maidenhead town centre depended on people working together with the council.

Cllr Howes said: "The sites causing widespread concern are all in private ownership and I have asked council officers to investigate the feasibility of taking enforcement action against owners of particularly problematic sites."

She also appealed to the Maidenhead Chamber to work with the council by encouraging its members who deal in property to 'help promote lettings in currently empty premises.'

In the meantime, Cllr Howes said the council was continuing to hold talks with more than a dozen private Maidenhead landowners.

They include the proprietors of the derelict cinema in Bridge Avenue, in a bid to help drive forward further improvements.

icBerkshire ~ Maidenhead ~ Nov 18 2005