Background
The Town Centre Management Group (originally established as a Board in 1993 under the auspices of the national Association of Town Centre Management) was formed as an independent entity on a partnership basis between the public and private sectors. It subsequently affiliated to the Guildford Business Forum to become a sector group within that organisation. The Retail Sector Group was absorbed into this group in March 2006.
Purpose of the group
The group aims to ensure the continuing prosperity, vitality, viability and attractiveness of Guildford town centre, for the benefit of all who live and/or work in it and visit it. Having identified the town’s strengths and weaknesses, the group aims to draw together all the different aspects of the town centre and maintains an updated action plan of issues needing to be addressed.
The group achieves this by continually monitoring developments in the town centre and drawing the attention of the authorities - Guildford Borough Council, Surrey County Council website (this page opens a new window) and Surrey Police (this page opens in a new window) - to things that need to be remedied and lobbying for improvements that it considers to be necessary or desirable, particularly where highlighted in the action plan.
The Town Centre Management Group also offers comments on planning applications and other council issues involving the town centre. The group also helps with the funding of particular projects, where a contribution would facilitate implementation.
Sponsors of the Town Centre Management Group
Barclays Bank, Boots plc, The Friary Shopping Centre, Guildford Bough Council, Heal’s, HSBC, Legal & General, Lloyds TSB, Marks & Spencer, Natwest, PDC Copyprint, Sainsbury’s, Talbots, Tunsgate Square and White Lion Walk.
For further information on the group, contact:
Kevin Lorimer, Chairman Town Centre Management Group
The County Club
158 High Street
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 3HJ
Tel: 01483 575370
Email: guildfordtcmg@googlemail.com
Town Centre Manager
Tourist Information Centre
14 Tunsgate
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 3QT
Tel: 01483 444331
Email: towncentre@guildford.gov.uk