A Vision for Bourne

A Vision for Bourne

IVAN FULLER
Town Centre Co-ordinator

Ivan Fuller

THE FORMATION of the Town Centre Management Partnership (TCMP) came at the instigation of South Kesteven District Council and comprises of members of local businesses, voluntary groups, county, district and town councillors who are committed to the Bourne's regeneration whilst protecting its character. New members are sought who would like to take part in this regeneration who can make an active contribution and are not devoted to a single issue.

In February 2001, with financial assistance from the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) and South Kesteven District Council, it commissioned urban designers Roger Evans to identify current issues relating to Bourne town centre and prepare an action plan for attracting and retaining new and existing shoppers, visitors, businesses and investors. This was in keeping with the government's strategy for revitalising market towns whose traditional activities had declined, and in the case of the East Midlands, was part of an EMDA template for future prosperity. The Bourne Town Centre Action Plan was published in September 2001 after local consultation and contained over 40 recommendations to enhance the attributes of the town.

Number one on this list of recommendations was the appointment of a Town Centre Co-ordinator and I took up my role at the end of May 2002. The initial appointment was for a one year period which has recently been extended for a further 12 months, and is funded by EMDA through the Welland Partnership and South Kesteven District Council. As a father of five who has served on various local groups, worked and lived in the area for the last 11 years, I believe I have a reasonable understanding of what is needed to regenerate the town but am always receptive to the opinions and ideas of others.

I felt that there were two big challenges to face when delivering the proposals outlined in the Action Plan and taking into consideration other comments/suggestions once I was established in my role.

The first of these was to appreciate the needs/requirements of all the residents of Bourne irrespective of age or circumstance - not an easy task when these activities are sometimes polarised and become a benefit to one group and a nuisance to others. An example would be the support for the creation of a skate park, adding a valuable leisure resource for the youth of the area, but possibly creating a more focused disturbance /noise to another sector of the population.

The second challenge was identifying what changes to the town would be acceptable to current residents compared to the differing demands of an ever growing incoming population with an estimated increase in population of 50% over the next 10 years.

This has been compounded by a need to develop retail as well as industrial economic regeneration where, although 66% of residents' food shopping is carried out within the town, only 21% of non-bulky non-food purchases, such as footwear, clothes and small electrical goods, are made locally. Even small increases in these percentages would significantly help to change local economic prosperity.

Through the TCMP, I have identified five main areas for consideration to build the future of Bourne whilst maintaining its character. These are redevelopment, public realm, retail, transport and civic and leisure. I will cover these below in more detail.

It is crucial, I believe, to the economic well being of Bourne to focus on what needs to be done to improve the quality/variety of retail choice in the town and to develop links between the various parts.

Progress is already in hand to improve the pedestrian approach between Sainsburys and the town centre by the use of a raised road surface to slow down motor traffic in Burghley Street, the resurfacing of clearly identifiable safe pedestrian walkways through the adjacent car parks, improving landscaping to these car parks and resurfacing the pedestrian walkway at the side of the Royal Mail building to West Street. A core area of land for mixed retail/residential development has been identified between North Street and Burghley Street and a feasibility study is currently being carried out by consultants for the TCMP, funded by SKDC and EMDA. The outcome of this study is imminent and I believe, if viable, paves the way for the attraction of more varied retail outlets which can only be good for consumer choice and economic regeneration. This would be a major project for the town and would involve a large amount of public consultation which I firmly welcome. If this is not viable then alternative ways to redevelop this area would be encouraged.

I am aware that one of the most contentious subjects in Bourne is the need for better provision of public conveniences. There is commitment from both the district council and the TCMP to address this issue but at the same time make sure the most appropriate site is developed for the good of the town residents and visitors.

It is vital to make the town more visually attractive and I firmly believe that landscaping, seating and uncluttered areas will provide a more pleasant environment. With this in mind, a request has been made to the district council to prepare a brief for improvements to the market place to assist in making this a focal point for the town. Other plans include the provision of better car park signage, more informative heritage signs at the gateways to the town, increased tree planting and landscaping and additional seating to improve the amenity for all. I welcome suggestions on improving the quality of the town's appearance and any offers of help would be most appreciated.

INDEX

1. Burghley Centre
2. Angel Hotel - link to North Street
3. Crown Walk.
4. New square - potential use as a market place.
5. New development at rear of North street properties: e g Woolworth's with a frontage on to the square.
6. Wherry's Lane linking to North Street with new and existing businesses.
7. South facing block - ideal for cafe and pavement uses on to the square.
8. Mixed use block with shops at ground floor and flats/offices above.
9. Family housing.

10. The old warehouse converted to residential or craft/office use.
11. Infill between Baptist Church and reprographics shop.
12. Residential development of flats and family housing around new square.
13. British Legion.
14. Burghley Court.
15. Baptist Church.
16. Possible site for new information centre and public conveniences beside existing car park (could occur in advance of a wider redevelopment scheme).
17. Existing parking area re-designed as a broad street.

On the retail side, it is gratifying to observe the high level of occupancy of retail premises and the purchase of the old jewellery shop in North Street by a local developer with the interests of Bourne at heart. The Chamber of Trade and Commerce has a desire to promote the town whenever possible and is currently investigating the possibility of a shop loyalty scheme. It is hoped to produce a Shop Front Enhancement Guide to act as a template for existing retailers and for those who intend to start trading in the town. I applaud any attempts by shop owners to improve the visual appearance of their units whilst at the same time integrating their plans in keeping with local interests

Transport is a major concern for the town and the TCMP and myself look forward to the completion of the south west relief road and the installation of more efficient traffic lights in town. Any improvement to traffic management to the south east will be encouraged. The Dial-a Ride scheme is most welcome and it is my intention to work closely with the highways department of Lincolnshire County Council to try to resolve bottleneck issues. I would like to see a structured pedestrian cycle route and would appreciate any suggestions.

The nature of my role is a clear focus on developing the town centre but with regard to civic and leisure activities, I am actively working to investigate the start up of cinema facilities, the possibility of relocating the library to a larger and more central site and supporting the greater provision of leisure activities such as the campaign for a skate park. I applaud the sterling works carried out at Baldock's Mill by the Civic Society to preserve local history and culture and acknowledge the tremendous efforts of the many voluntary organisations to improve the quality of life for the residents of the town of all ages.

This covers most of what I feel to be the future for Bourne and is supported by members of the TCMP. I cannot provide funds to other bodies but can offer support and advice. I welcome the opportunity to explain my role and what I hope to achieve to any organisation or group who might be interested. I am open to suggestions from all parties for ideas to improve the quality of the town. I am passionate about the way forward but sensitive to those who are cautious about change and do not wish the character of their traditional town to die.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Ivan Fuller previously worked in the financial services sector for 30 years, taking early retirement from his role as a district manager with Halifax plc in 1991. He was appointed Town Centre Co-ordinator for Bourne in May 2002 and he also serves as a local magistrate on the Bourne and Stamford bench. Ivan is a keen football fan, a supporter of Ipswich Town and local youth football. His hobbies include stocks and shares, reading and taking part in quizzes, a subject which led to his fifteen minutes of fame in January 2002 as a winner of the BBC2 television programme Weakest Link.