Time running out for towns wanting to become Portas Pilots

TOWN centres in the Midlands need to act fast if they are to stand a chance of sharing in a £1m transformational pot proposed by TV shopping guru Mary Portas.

The Association of Town Centre Management (ATCM) said it was expecting a tremendous response to the initiative outlined by the retail expert in a recent report.

The government-funded scheme is offering £1m of support, split between 12 proposals.

The ATCM, which organised five workshops on behalf of the Department of Communities and Local Government aimed at providing advice to towns looking to become so-called ‘Portas Pilots’, said many areas had raised their games as a response to the initiative.

Martin Blackwell, ATCM chief executive, said: “The workshops have been another important step in revitalising our town centres and high streets, with over 300 people attending them.

“Now, as we await the government’s response and the March 30 deadline for submitting applications as well as the announcement of the new national planning policy framework, there is a focus on improving town centres that hasn’t been felt in many years.

“The enthusiasm shown at these events has proved how passionate towns are in creating Town Teams and bringing together their communities.”

Mr Blackwell said many of the recommendations in the Portas Report were directed at local authorities as well as others on the ground.

“We look forward to working with our 600 members as well as new members to implement the recommendations, and will continue to strive for improvements in other areas.

“The process of working with the DCLG on the workshops as well as the follow up has been very useful for everyone involved. We look forward to this continuing,” he added.

Walsall is one of the town’s to be competing for the funding. It got involved after it was flagged up for the high number of empty shop units it had in its town centre.