Kingsland Centre should be a 'boost' for Thatcham - Payton

11.25.53am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 2nd Aug 2006

Councillor Alex Payton

Councillor Alex Payton, who represents the Thatcham Central ward, has today welcomed the possibility that a planning application will be submitted for the redevelopment of the Kingsland Centre.

The public will be consulted over the plans for the 'new look' centre, which will be on show at the Kingsland Centre, from Friday 11th - Saturday 12th August.

Councillor Payton said:

"Thatcham's town centre simply does not properly reflect its population of over 25,000 people at present. The High Street and the Broadway already enjoy a great deal of activity, but the extra investment that this development could provide will make a significant difference. If done well, this will attract many more visitors and shoppers to Thatcham. This would be a major development and would significantly stimulate commerce within the town"

Councillor Payton, who will be going to the consultation, continued:

"Newbury is enjoying nearly £1m worth of investment to its environment in Market Place and Northbrook Street - Thatcham deserves the same: it is time for us to move out of Newbury's shadow. I urge anyone interested in the vibrancy and health of Thatcham Town centre to view the consultation and make their views known to the developers and myself - I will gladly represent those views to West Berkshire Council, where the Conservative administration continues to view Thatcham as a dormitory outpost of Newbury and minimises its investment in Thatcham accordingly - I also urge the people of Thatcham to support the Town's retailers and bring their purses and wallets into Thatcham at every opportunity."