Ashby Town Council have announced they will be commissioning a comprehensive Town Regeneration Masterplan, in partnership with Ashby BID.

Ashby BID, which stands for Business Improvement District, is a community-driven, not-for-profit initiative that works with local businesses and organisations to improve the town's economy and social vitality.

Funded by local businesses and managed by a volunteer board, Ashby BID have now partnered with Ashby Town Council to create opportunities for improvement in the future.

The partnership has appointed a specialist consultancy Gillespies to lead the development of the masterplan, which will include high-quality artist impressions illustrating how the town centre could evolve over the next 10 to 15 years, together with detailed costings for proposed projects.

Having this clear, fully costed programme of improvements will ensure Ashby is well-positioned to apply for future funding opportunities, including government grants.

In a joint statement, the partnership said: 'We are open to bold new ideas of how the town could look in future years and can't wait to see some artist impressions of proposals.

'In the coming weeks, we will begin consulting with several key Ashby organisations, and will undertake a detailed walk-through of the town centre alongside representatives from Gillespies.

'This will help identify opportunities for improvements that enhance the experience of living, working and visiting Ashby.

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'Ashby de la Zouch Town Council and Ashby BID have committed to sharing the cost of the masterplan equally, as well as collaborating closely throughout the process for the benefit of the town.'

This partnership came after discussion at an Ashby Town Council meeting on Monday 26 January.

In that meeting, Sam Hampton, owner of Woodlander for over forty years, addressed the council, calling for better collaboration between ATC and BID.

He said that to improve the town there needs 'more of a structure to plans,' suggesting there is an 'overfocus on events,' with 'some matters getting a lot more attention than others.'

He went on to say that the town can 'spend a lot of money on events and over look more important matters like parking.'

He also said: 'Neither the town council or BID have a lot of power,' and that both would benefit from combining efforts for a shared cause.

During this meeting, Councillor Chris Smith said it would be beneficial to have a 'joint vision and joint plan.'

'The important thing,' said Cllr Smith, 'is that we need investment. I am keen that the town council work with [the BID] on this.'

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Cllr Bigby then said: 'Together, we could be a formidable force.'

Although it has not been formally confirmed that the new partnership is a direct outcome of this discussion at the meeting, it is clear that both sides are keen to work together for the betterment of the town.

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