Firstly, let me introduce myself – I am a newcomer to the VBA, an entrepreneur of many years experience and a former business studies lecturer. I have recently been voted in as the Vice Chair of the VBA and to put together the bid for funding from the Government for the Portas Pilot projects.
Last year Mary Portas prepared a review of the state of High Streets in Britain in the face of competition from out-of-town shopping centres and internet-based shopping and how they need to be revitalised or they may be lost altogether.
Her main vision is that high streets are not only places where people purchase goods and services, but that they provide a hub for the community, transport and employment. They provide for a sense of identity for both residents and visitors. They are good for social wellbeing and provide places for people to socialise and to exchange conversation. She concluded that unless something is done about the decline of the High Street, Britain will lose something that is fundamental to our society.
In response to this, the government is offering funding to communities to improve their High Streets. There is £100,000 available to towns to provide improvements and to ensure that High Streets remain vibrant. Ventnor has the advantage that it still retains a vibrant High Street, providing a good range of shops and services, and is a social hub for its users, but there is much that can be done to improve this.
The Portas Pilot bid provides Ventnor with a real opportunity to improve the attractiveness of the High Street, attract more visitors to the town throughout the year, to increase the profitability of fragile businesses, provide new employment and build upon its strenghts. Integral to this is the development of a Town Team to manage the projects and we have the support of Ventnor Town Council in creating this. We all think that Ventnor is a great place to be and success in this bid would make it even greater.
Anne Noon
VBA Vice Chair
