Out with the Old and In with the New for the Old Town Mary Portas Bid

FINAL PLANS were being put together by local residents and business owners of the Old Town last night at the Town Hall for their share of the Mary Portas £1m "Portas Pilot" sheme.

The working group are hoping to secure £100,000 which will be used to revitilse and breath life into the Old Town in the hope it will become a centre for arts, crafts, creativity and innovation.

The Mary Portas Scheme was launched back in 2010 by the Government to look at helping struggling High Streets up and down the Country by the retail expert, Mary Portas.  Winners of the scheme, which has been extended from the original scheme to 12 further sucessful towns will be announced in August.

One of the initatives includes regenerating the disused railway infastructure in the heart of the old town as the Leamington's "Forth Plinth" in the hope it will become a centre-piece for the area.

Jenny Ireland, group leader of this initative says "The Old Town as come a long way, but there is so much more than can be done to entice shoppers and visitors to the area..."

The bid is still in consultation and therefore there is still time to have your say.  Jenny went on to say "We also welcome all views, be they positive or negative as we formulate our bid". 

A three minute promotional video will be produced and submitted as the groups official bid for the end of this month.

To have your say or for further information please conact Mr Ireland on 07968 742102 or visit the Facebook group - Mary Portas Bid South Leamington Old Town.