Town Regeneration
In recent years, high streets across the country have faced challenges due to the impact of Covid, the increase in online shopping and economic pressures such as the cost of living crisis. Warminster Town Council appreciates that this a challenging time for local businesses and is working together with local organisations such as Wiltshire Council and Warminster Business Network (WBN) to help revitalise the town centre and encourage both residents and visitors to rediscover all Warminster has to offer.
As part of Warminster Town Council’s commitment to reinvigorate the town centre whilst ensuring that efforts are aligned with the needs of the community, a Regeneration Working Group has been established. The group includes representatives from Warminster Town Council, Warminster Business Network, and local businesses across retail, the arts and hospitality sectors. The group considers potential ideas and initiatives on how to enhance the town centre.
Recent initiatives include:
- Independent Markets – seasonal markets held four times a year in collaboration with WBN, bringing an injection of vibrancy to the town.
- Tidy-Up Smarten-Up Campaign – a partnership with WBN to encourage businesses to enhance their premises, with funding available.
- Improved Tourism Signage – upgrading and replacing ‘brown and white’ directional signs on key routes into Warminster.
- Town Centre Enhancements – repairing, repainting and cleaning street furniture including rubbish bins, fingerpost signs and bus stops.
- External Events – supporting organisations with the delivery of events including funding, event planning advice and promotion e.g. Imberbus, Warminster Book Festival.
- Street Cleaning – weed removal and litter collection to maintain a clean environment.
- Support for Local Attractions – grants awarded to The Athenaeum and Chapel of St Lawrence to help preserve these assets for the community.
- Public Toilet Maintenance – ongoing upkeep to ensure cleanliness.
- Visitor Awareness – production and distribution of promotional leaflets to accommodation providers and key visitor points.
- Local Tourism Promotion – themed town trails on the Explore Wiltshire App, with prizes to encourage town centre visits.
- Business Communication – a regular newsletter keeping town centre businesses informed and engaged.
- Town Centre Vibrancy – seasonal bunting and flags to create a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere.
Some of these initiatives have been funded by grants from Wiltshire Council who have given Warminster a total of £105,000 over four years towards local initiatives to facilitate the economic recovery of the town centres.
In addition, Wiltshire Council has launched the Wiltshire Towns Programme to support local high streets, investing £1million annually over four years to boost town centre activity. Through this scheme, a number of projects and grants have been introduced including:
- Explore Wiltshire Events and Heritage Trail Apps – digital platforms to promote local events and history.
- Vibrant Wiltshire Grant – financial support for local businesses to occupy empty town centre premises.
- Energy Efficiency Support – free assessments and funding for small and micro business to enhance sustainability.
- Wiltshire Marque – branding to showcase the county’s excellent food and drink offering.
