14 focus on maidenhead
Maidenhead: preparing to punch its true weight
Easy travel links and proximity to London and Heathrow are underlying keys to the Thames Valley’s ongoing economic success, with the M4 providing the vital spinal chord of access to the sub-region’s attractive business opportunities, residential amenities and beautiful countryside, writes John Burbedge
There are seven motorway junctions in the M4 corridor westwards between the M25 ring-fencing of ‘London’ and the rural farmlands of West Berkshire beyond Reading.
Jubilee Clock Tower
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Arguably, the three junctions (5,6,7) to the east serve the Slough-centric economic market area, and the three to the west (10,11,12) serve the Reading-centric economic market area – which leaves junction 8/9, the turn-off for Maidenhead.
Location-wise Maidenhead lies at the heart of those seven key junctions, yet ironically Maidenhead does not represent the economic heart of the Thames Valley, but simply one of its successful towns.
Is that a problem? Maybe Maidenhead already has the best of both worlds lying between those two major economic market areas, and under 30 minutes by car from its surrounding key Thames Valley towns? Certainly, the town continues to attract influential companies – eg Maersk, Adobe, ‘3’, Volvo UK, GSK – and has enviable leisure and amenity links – eg Boulters Lock on the Thames, Windsor Great Park, Henley, Ascot – but is it making the most of its locational attributes and economic potential? Is there the local drive for a greater future?
Colemans, originally formed as Charles Coleman & Co in 1948, has been providing outstanding service for commercial and private clients for over 40 years in Maidenhead. Two of the firm’s current partners are products of Maidenhead’s excellent schools. Colemans strongly support the Maidenhead community sponsoring local charities and Maidenhead Rugby Club and are members of the Maidenhead Chamber of Commerce. The firm is delighted that the town-centre is now getting the investment it deserves so that it will match the quality of the surrounding area and see its historic pride restored. The regeneration of the town-centre will stimulate new retail and restaurant investment and a bright future awaits.
A town eagerly awaiting a new heart ...
Everyone we spoke to highlighted the Maidenhead area as “a great place to live and work“ – but also one currently lacking a modern, attractive, well-resourced town-centre acting as a vibrant urban heart.
However, they were optimistic about Maidenhead’s overall future, sitting as it is today on the cusp of fresh opportunity and potential.
It was felt that the lack of cohesive support for growth and development over many years had resulted in a disappointing town-centre with
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We asked some informed business and community leaders to provide their personal thoughts about Maidenhead – where it’s at now, its opportunities and challenges, and what the future might bring for the town.
Our contributors: • Michael Stone, managing partner of Colemans Solicitors • Sarah Dean, branch manager, Handelsbanken • Sean Egan, partner, Hale & Co, chartered accountants • Malcolm Kempton, co-founder, KemptonCarrCroft, property consultants • Mark Harris, director, Page Hardy Harris, chartered surveyors • Bob Dulson, chairman of the Project for the Rejuvenation of Maidenhead (PRoM) • Ross Wilson, founder, Wilson Partners, business advisers • Cllr Philip Love, regeneration principal, Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead • Cllr Derek Wilson, planning lead, Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
piecemeal developments and a shortage of suitable shopping, dining, parking and other facilities.
“Our neighbours – Windsor, Marlow, Reading, High Wycombe – have had the vision to prosper while our town-centre has declined. Maidenhead was a jewel on the Thames in days gone by, and it is saddening that inertia led to the inevitable,” said Sean Egan, a Maidenhead resident for over 30 years.
Malcolm Kempton noted: “Currently, if Maidenhead people want to enjoy an evening out they seek the better food and beverage offerings of Marlow, Windsor and Reading due to lack of choice in their own town.”
Michael Stone added that without attractive town-centre nightlife, Maidenhead loses potential tourist and local visitor business. “The Thames runs nearby and its potential is underutilised.”
Sarah Dean noted the town-centre’s long- term need of significant investment. “There’s not the cafe/bar/restaurant culture seen in neighbouring towns such as Marlow and Henley.” Apart from buying the basics, Maidenhead was not a first-choice shopping destination, nor a place at weekends for families with small children.
A local resident since 1976, Ross Wilson felt that Maidenhead’s town-centre retail service
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MAY 2016
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