Regeneration of our town centres is high on everyone’s wish list, so it was interesting to see a new report just published that sets out twelve principles for reviving our town centres.  It is of particular interest to the River Torridge Heritage Group as it strongly advocates celebrating local history and culture. The report is entitled ‘Earning and Belonging’ and it’s the belonging side that is our mission, though we would dearly hope that anything we can do will boost the earning side as well. 

The first observation on reading the report is that we are not alone. Boarded up doors, tatty shops and lightless windows are a feature of many town centres. On-line services, out of town malls, and the cost of living have had the same effect up and down the country – and beyond. But we must not give in to what the writer of the report calls ‘a grim sense of inevitability’ about the decline. From what we can see, Bideford Regeneration Board and Torridge District council are already on the right track. Many of the report’s recommendations are already in the pipeline here in Bideford.

First and foremost, the report stresses, is the earning potential. We must go for growth. It’s no good tarting up shopfronts if locals can’t afford to spend anything. So, encouraging investment, new jobs and good wages is the first priority. The council have clearly taken this on board with the Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre and other aspects of their economic strategy, like the opportunities around green energy.

Then there is belonging. ‘Lean into shared heritage and culture’ says the report: a sense of tradition binds us together and offers towns and high streets unique selling points. This is especially true for Bideford and the River Torridge, where we want to attract more visitors from outside as well as making the town more attractive for locals. 

Encouraging the social use of town centre buildings – as opposed to retail – can help with this. The report calls this shifting from ‘buying’ to ‘being’ and claims that towns that have shifted towards more social, entertainment and leisure spaces, such as cafes, gyms and playparks, are doing well. It’s good to know we are on the right track with the new playpark in Bideford, plans to turn the old library into a gym, and the new bouldering centre up the High Street. 

Earning & Belonging by Rowenna Davis can be downloaded from the Global Future Foundation.