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upgraded, and parking facilities, whether town- centre or on the town fringes, expanded and modernised. Our existing traffic issues will only worsen unless we grasp the mantle now,” stated Egan.


With local public transport networks limited, the car remains the preferred way to travel to work for the vast majority of Maidenhead-based workers, despite the lack of long-term car parking for town-centre workers, Stone pointed out.


The Crossrail travel alternative will help, but a compass-spanning Maidenhead integrated transport system needs to be considered, he added.


Dean suggested a multi-storey car park near Maidenhead Station or a park-and-ride system, plus a Windsor link railway, would assist transportation and help maximise the workforce catchment.


“Maidenhead’s good quality schools produce a rich vein of talent. The challenge for local businesses is to retain that talent and not see it go to London and other places. A more vibrant Maidenhead will help,” said Stone.


Wilson felt there was evidence of locally educated talent “returning to its roots”, but he highlighted the need for Maidenhead to keep aligned with 21st century workstyles.


“Any commercial property landlord not prepared to upgrade their older properties will find themselves out on a limb with unrentable premises.


“The shortage of quality employees continues to be a threat to our business community and something of which all employers in the area need to be mindful. Perhaps there is now a greater realisation that our businesses need to be different and that attitudes towards employees need to be very modern to attract the best of the best.”


While technology has enabled 24/7 flexible, remote and home workstyles, modern town- centre offices would still be required, Stone pointed out. “Employees still like a base and the opportunity to interact with real people in the work environment.”


And employees like a local home too ...


New housing hog-tied by a green belt?


Available space for new housing is a threat to Maidenhead’s future – not least because of green belt and development restrictions covering more than 80% of the Royal Borough.


Although local new-build housing projects are currently taking place, Maidenhead will have to be smart about housing provision for its future workforce.


“We are investigating various options, as we develop our borough local plan, to free-up the land desperately needed for residential and commercial growth,” said Cllr Wilson.


Dulson added: “There’s considerable pressure to accommodate as many homes as possible in the town itself. This has obvious benefits in terms of


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MAY 2016 Berkshire House


Playing catch-up in the fast lane?


Time is no friend to Maidenhead at present, with the regeneration of other Thames Valley towns already largely achieved or well underway.


As Stone mentioned: “Maidenhead will resemble a construction site for a number of years and during this period key business could be lost to other towns with Windsor, Bracknell, Reading, Wycombe and Slough all enjoying superior town- centre shopping facilities.”


Wilson added: “Maidenhead has a massive catch- up to do if it’s ever to compete with some of the


sustainability, vitality and the economy but the impacts on character and infrastructure have still to be assessed.”


Cllr Wilson stressed that retaining the town’s character was integral to the borough local plan, while Cllr Love added: “As development progresses, a priority is to ensure we have a well thought out, integrated town-centre with excellent connectivity between the various OAs.”


Stone noted: “The council through PRoM is working with developers rather than against them, and accepting as the way forward that buildings need to be taller, have underground car parking, and generally provide a higher density.”


Soaring property prices are also a concern, particularly for younger workers aiming to become first-time buyers in Maidenhead. Dean felt more affordable properties, at entry-level pricing, should be prioritised. “While property value increases can be seen as a strength for current occupiers, it is also a barrier to attracting workers to Maidenhead.”


Last year the average price of a home in Maidenhead was £468,419 (£530,409 in London, £191,812 in England and Wales). Most sales were of detached houses, averaging nearly £700,000. Maidenhead prices have risen 27% since 2013.


excellent surrounding towns. Recovering ground will take decades.”


With Crossrail, WRAtH, and FGW electrification also benefiting other Thames Valley mainline rail towns there was the risk of businesses and workers choosing to relocate and commute to them instead of Maidenhead, noted Dean.


Creating a new identity


Kempton was adamant: “Maidenhead isn’t threatened by nearby towns since it will forge a new identity as regeneration is delivered. A modern, well-planned town-centre with the facilities and amenities that appeal to a 21st century workforce and housing market will create a new cultural identity for Maidenhead that goes beyond its great location and transport links.”


“Vision, partnership working, robust planning policies and business-friendly initiatives will help boost the town’s advantage,” said Cllr Love. “As a council, we support and encourage local business, actively working to attract employers and employment to the area.


“Our discretionary business rate relief scheme – fully funded by the council – has been a huge help to many starter businesses and in some cases even the deciding factor to their setting up on the high street.”


Dulson felt history was repeating itself. “Medieval Maidenhead came about when its Thames bridge created a more direct Great West Road route to Bath. Since then, each new transport era – stagecoach, railway, car, air, motorway – has brought fresh interest, investment and growth. What we’re seeing now is another chapter in the same story.”


Cllr Wilson added: “The waterways and Chapel Arches are already changing the town dynamics. And new town-centre residents will drive the demand for shops, dining and entertainment on their doorstep.”


Egan: “The future for Maidenhead is optimistic, and I hope that there will be an influx of businesses and business people to cement a future prosperity for all who live and work here.”


Wilson: “My overriding view is that we are moving back to an era where the community we grew up in really matters, and by taking a keen interest in it our futures will be ever more secure.


“Maidenhead is a great town with an incredible history and given that Windsor is between us and London, I doubt I will ever see Maidenhead becoming part of Greater London.”


Stone agreed: “Maidenhead is 30 miles west of London and I don’t see it losing its identity or being regarded as part of a London sprawl.


“We are privileged to call Maidenhead our home town, but, like any home, its owners – the local Maidenhead community – share a duty to maintain its fabric and qualities, while making it fit for daily and future use.”


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