Thatcham town centre to get some ‘long overdue’ TLC

Members of Thatcham Town Council have agreed to spend more than £6,000 on improvements that will see the area receive a bit of TLC and a lick of paint.
They hope that by improving the area it will attract more shoppers to the town, and in turn more businesses.
Works will include repainting 11 benches, various CCTV columns, ornamental bollards and electricity supply boxes and powerwashing paved areas.
Three removable bollards will be installed at the southern end of the Broadway to prevent unauthorised vehicles getting on to the green.
Town councillor Gary Johnson (Lib Dem, Thatcham West), who was part of the team that came up with the list of works, said: “There are quite a substantial number of items that need a scrub down.
“Most of us who do [town council surgeries] will know only too well what needs doing.
“The works will be done to improve the quality of our town centre.”
Fellow Liberal Democrat councillor Owen Jeffery (Thatcham South and Crookham) said that some of the jobs were long overdue because the council had been planning quite substantial improvements to the town centre before the economy took a downturn.
“I would agree that the town centre is looking a bit tired and the paintwork around the railings has been battered about.”
He added that it was hoped improvements would encourage growth in the central area and added.
“We all know that towns are in competition with each other. Enhancing the town centre will be to the benefit of the entire town centre.
“It will generate more business for our retailers, it will keep those that are there and it will encourage people into the empty units.”
Money from the developers’ contribution fund will be used to pay for the improvements.