The Role of the Town Centre Manager

Mark ArmstrongTown Centres ManagerAshfield District Council

Background

• 10+ years as Town Centres Manager• 2 local authorities• 8 towns• Currently 3 towns• 100’s of businesses

High Priority at Ashfield District Council• Corporate Plan Priority

– To facilitate and support the regeneration of Kirkby town centre

• Scrutiny Review of Markets– Strengthen and improve 3 traditional outdoor and 1 indoor

market hall

Plan, Co-ordinate and Lead• No ‘generic’ job description for TCM

– very different levels of expectation (CEO and/or litter picker)

• Facilitator between business and local authority

• ‘Town Teams’ / Businesses Forums / Partnerships

• Short, medium and long term actions / projects

Plan, Co-ordinate… cont.• Liaison

– Partner organisations– Internal departments

• Inward investment – Kirkby-in-Ashfield– Morrisons, Boots Chemist, Wetherspoons, rent

increases!!

Issues• Changing town centres and retail spending

• Reduced funding opportunities / packages

Short Term

• Changes over time– seasonal, economic climate, location, etc.

• Vacant Shops• Events – Jubilee, Olympics, Christmas, etc.• Markets – traditional and specialist

Medium Term

• New businesses

• Regeneration

• Traffic congestion

Long Term (ongoing)

• Masterplans

• Strategic Project Development• Retail Floorspace Survey• Retail Study• Priority development sites• Being ready for the economic recovery