Maidenhead & Windsor

The ongoing revitalisation of Maidenhead town centre depends on positive people working together with the Royal Borough to bring about change.

That's the message from the council this week as it reveals it is involved in continuing high-level negotiations with more than a dozen different private sector property and landowners to help drive forward the further improvements to shopping, business and housing in the town. Detailed information cannot be revealed because the council does not own the properties and land concerned but the discussions involve the old cinema site on Bridge Avenue, which has recently changed ownership, and Cressett Towers on High Street where there has been a recent welcome letting.

Cllr Vicky Howes, lead member for Maidenhead town centre, is also calling on Maidenhead and District Chamber of Commerce to work with the council by encouraging its members, particularly local estate and property agents, to help promote lettings in currently empty premises.

Cllr Howes said she had pressed council officers to continue discussions with property and landowners and was confident that everything possible was being done to encourage them to move forward with plans for developing or upgrading their sites. She was also confident that there would be "good news soon" on a number of fronts.

"The council has set a positive example to others with our refurbishment of the Town Hall to make it a modern, attractive and welcoming place in the town centre for local residents and we are encouraging our counterparts in the private sector to follow the lead," she 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.

"It's very easy to talk down Maidenhead and forget the tremendous progress that's 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, where initial feedback from the public is very positive.

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

With the refurbished areas of the Town Hall now open to the public and the garden re-landscaped for everyone to use, the council is looking forward to the re-opening of the Desborough Suite later this month after a two-month improvement programme. The first performance booked is Maidenhead Operatic Society's production of Princess Aida, which opens on Tuesday November 22.

Cllr Howes said: "The Desborough is a major centre for public use in the town centre and, with the improvements being made by the council to make it better and more accessible, we will be promoting it as an important venue for events, both during the day and in the evening.

"What Maidenhead needs is more of this positive approach to promoting the tremendous benefits of out town so that everyone who lives and works here will benefit and be proud of what we have to offer."
Notes:
Overall, Maidenhead has 307 retail units with a current vacancy rate of just over 6% - this is well below the national average of 11% and better than neighbouring towns such as Reading and Slough.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead ~ 09-Nov-2005