Visitors find the town a 'great retail destination'

NEWBURY has been hailed a ‘great retail destination’ by a Government department.

Representatives from UK Trade and Investment visited the town recently for a tour of the retail facilities including Parkway, the Kennet Shopping centre, Debenhams flagship store and also some independent traders, such as Hogan’s Music.

They also met one of the town’s civic leaders, district council chief executive Nick Carter, and retail chiefs Parkway centre manager David Pickett and Newbury BID director Russell Downing.

West Berkshire Council spokeswoman Peta Stoddart-Crompton said that the town’s growing reputation for shopping in recent years, particularly since the completion of Parkway, was demonstrated by increasing footfall, lower than average empty shop units and trading figures that have increased by 35 per cent year on year.

The owner of Hogan’s Music, Patrick Hogan, said: “It was good to speak to UKTI about the way our business is developing in Newbury.

“We consider ourselves to be a destination venue where parents drop off their children for lessons, and then enjoy the nearby shops and cafés.”