OF THE YEAR Sponsored by
TOWN
WINNER:
With the main course consumed Gyles Brandreth announced that four more awards would be presented before dessert was served.
Up first was an award that recognised no individual or business, but a whole town, and specifically a town that has implemented a successful town-centre strategy, and enhanced its brand.
The judges commented on the very strong entry to the category this year, and were delighted that more Thames Valley towns are embracing the awards.
As the largest town planning consultancy in the UK, it was fitting that Barton Willmore should be sponsoring this category with its much-prized title – ‘Town of the Year.’ The three finalists for this award were:
• Bracknell • Reading • Slough
A town with a ‘clear vision’, Bracknell moved several steps closer in 2014 towards the long- planned regeneration that will see 585,000 sq ft of retail and leisure development achieved. Fenwick and M&S will be anchor tenants, and alongside the new town-centre developers plan to refurbish and redevelop key office sites in
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – JUNE 2015
READING
surrounding areas. The redevelopment master- plan is led by Bracknell Forest Council and the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership (a joint venture between Legal & General Capital and Schroder UK Property Fund).
Reading’s central area is being transformed. With the new Reading Station now open, and a major investment in transport infrastructure, the borough has attracted businesses and key developers such as M&G, Stanhope and Landid. The Station Hill area is changing shape, with new offices, restaurants, homes and open spaces creating an attractive gateway into Reading. The Borough Council’s ‘open for business’ approach has been much lauded – the town is well placed for further significant investment.
The Heart of Slough project focuses on the town-centre regeneration, a major objective being to build on Slough’s good connectivity by road, rail, bus and cycle. Transport improvements have led to construction of The Curve, a learning and cultural centre, this being followed by a new hotel and landmark offices. Slough’s iconic new bus station opened in 2011, unattractive subways have been closed, pavements widened and new lighting added.
Gyles Brandreth invited John Haxworth (pictured third right), partner at Barton Willmore, to the stage to reveal the winner, “a town with a very
strong award submission, backed up by some excellent testimonials from occupiers, investors and businesses” – Reading.
Nigel Horton-Baker (pictured right), chief executive of Reading UK CIC, commented: “It’s a great honour for Reading to win this award which is a tribute to the culmination of work going back some 20 years – a real partnership between Reading Borough Council and the private sector, rising to the town’s regeneration challenge.
“We have seen a total change of Reading, keeping some of its great heritage, but really putting a fresh twist on things with a lot of new buildings, so the town really does look and feel more like a city every day.
“Property developers, agents, investors are saying that the big stimulus was the station. It’s now a major draw for companies to be here in Reading. We’re not doing a lot of publicity because companies are finding us, but we will certainly publicise this award.”
Now the town was entering a fresh development phase – the Reading 2050 vision, he added.
So, the last time that Reading might win ‘Town of the Year’ – because it will be a city? “Yes, absolutely.”
www.businessmag.co.uk
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