Question 8
It would be good to develop theatre, performing arts and visual arts further.
There needs to be stimulation of local, independent shops as several of the larger department stores have disappeared and more will surely go. What can be done to reduce business rates to stimulate growth? Community was low on the percentage scale of responses. There are some good suggestions already, but the town is very divided by "haves and have nots" - e.g. the affluence of those utilizing the private schools compared to those who are living in poorer areas of the town. Perhaps there could be greater outreach from the elite schools to encourage more aspiration and opportunity in deprived areas/schools and build a greater sense of community at a younger age? I am ignorant of this area, so some of this may be happening already.
The area around the Town Bridge would be more appealing if the area which was the small market square was made into a green space. Allow traffic to turn right onto the Embankment after coming over the Town Bridge.
As outlined in Wootton Parish Council's response to question 2, the Borough Council has a significant role to secure the future of the town centre whether through attracting funding, securing grant business support, reducing business rates and to diversify the uses within the town centre. It is imperative that Bedford Borough Council is the main driver in attracting new investment to the town centre, a possibility to secure this could be the establishment of an Enterprise Zone.
Bedford is a great place for arts, crafts, activities and culture. Lots of events and music available, there is always at least two or three things to choose from on a given night. Night clubs do have a reputation for trouble, not without some cause, and it would be good for this to be improved. The river, as everyone says, is the jewel in the crown, and nothing should be planned that would detract from it. However, the Park Inn should be demolished, as this is the most hideous prominent building in town.
The Bedford to Milton Keynes waterway park is key to developments in Bedford town.
I would suggest that there is a hole in the heart of Bedford. The High street and Harper centre are particular low lights. Many visitors to the town note the inaccessibility and lack of navigability. It takes a lot of time to go from the station to the "centre of town" and most of this area is less than ideal. Independent shops are key to the town, unfortunately rates are high, quality, accessibility and availability are all poor. Much of the town has a low footfall because the town centre lacks focus, attractions or destinations. Many of the shops are obviously short lived owing to the squeeze from rates and rents and the lack of affluent customers. The regeneration around the Higgins has helped but there is still very much to do.
The appeal of out of town retail parks is that they are car friendly – they encourage use of personal transport, with on-site free parking immediately adjacent to the shops. This allows shoppers to take purchases straight back to their cars, and not struggle with large items on public transport. The car is king and electric/green vehicle technology needs to be embraced – you must cater for personal transport and not eliminate it. Ample free parking will attract visitors, especially when public transport is not Covid-19 social distancing compatible. Old Victorian style town centres are now dead. The new town centre ethos should take the design cues from the success of out of town retail centres, and reinvent the shopping experience to mirror the retail park, with ample free parking, all within the built area of the town.
thinking about my own use of the town centre, the loss of M&S and Beales has definitely resulted in me going into town less. The draw of a big name definitely helps increase footfall and opportunities to promote a diverse and vibrant centre. My regular shop is to a supermarket (typically Sainsburys) - but I recognise that realistically this is impractical in the town centre without its own parking. I would love to pop into small independent shops - baker, butcher, wine, deli etc - if they were a couple of minutes' walk from the supermarket - how about a shuttle bus into town at peak times (eg Saturdays)? will need goodwill from the supermarkets, but they too could see increased footfall if people wanting town centre independents had to spend money at the supermarket to use the shuttle bus?
No
Well covered above - independent retail shops, attractions close to the river. Ceaper parking would help and/or park & ride to the North of Bedford
No, having never ventured there myself, I cannot provide any additional comment.
Any work to the town centre must be proactively progressed as soon as possible before it is too late. There is a wealth of information, support, grants around to support town centres as well as a significant, skilled, interested local population who could be harnessed to assist the Council. Bedford town centre is perfectly placed for a town centre revival: easily accessible, good quality historic buildings, a wealth of independents, varied uses, good restaurants. The emphasis must be on positively expediting change.
No answer given
Keep large-scale housing development away from small villages
Town centre needs to be the special place where people go for a day out and to meet people. The riverside, market square and Harpur Square should be the centre of this. When the Philharmonia had their marquee in Riverside Square 3 summers ago, it was a huge and exciting draw for the town, and also led to major engagement with the family concert they ran in the Corn Exchange at the end, which sold out quickly. All the schools and many community groups were engaged through it. This year when the Philharmonia did a family concert at the Corn Exchange, it was almost empty... noone seemed aware of it! It is also a terrible waste that Radhuni, which is a lovely restaurant, is a major river location but is not open in the daytime. ..... Biggest problem with Town Centre is the begging, and discomfort which goes with this harrassment. Iv heard shopkeepers say that shoplifting and disturbance by beggars is disturbing and costly to them, and a huge disincentive to incoming footfall. There's no doubt that the begging is not only about homelessness, but mainly drugs. The prevalence of drug dealing on street corners across Bedford is there for all to see, at all times of day, but nothing seems to be done about it. .... Additionally the extensive spread of empty shops is demoralising. it is also very difficult to park easily near enough the town centre for quick access. If people could get in and out of the town centre for essentials quickly, they would be more likely to notice changes in the town centre which would make them return another time. .... Currently, most people just get in their cars and go straight to Rushden or MK, (which dont have the Bedford town centre problems, i guess because they are private retail sites .... so what can be down about this?) which downgrades the town centre even more. ....If the town centre were more compact, and that area were also more inhabited day and night, it would attract more to visit, and may be more easily supervised and kept secure, clean and welcoming.
Bedford is lovely in certain areas. The centre is improving but I still am ashamed how dirty, unloved and unattractive the centre is. The new area by the Vue cinema is such a let down. Not pleasing at all. A nice site by the river that is a disgrace. I certainly do not feel safe there in the evening.
Fewer take away & pubs that can create an untidy and unwelcome atmosphere, especially in the evening. At present, almost every other retail unit is a coffee shop or take away. Soon people will only consider coming into Bedford to eat & drink. Bringing big name stores into town centre. At the moment, the only one we have is Debenhams and I would not be surprised if this closed soon. More independent, shops selling arts, crafts, individual items. There are no shops in Bedford that I would currently consider visiting for inspiration for presents.
Fewer take away & pubs that can create an untidy and unwelcome atmosphere, especially in the evening. At present, almost every other retail unit is a coffee shop or take away. Soon people will only consider coming into Bedford to eat & drink. Bringing big name stores into town centre. At the moment, the only one we have is Debenhams and I would not be surprised if this closed soon. More independent, shops selling arts, crafts, individual items. There are no shops in Bedford that I would currently consider visiting for inspiration for presents.
No
There are several key requirements to promote the health of this area which I represent in addition to those mentioned. The health of the town centre generally requires the presence of employment, and residential developments need to make provision for space for sufficient employment proportionate to and suitable for the development. In addition the town centre needs more varied leisure opportunities so it is less dependent on retail to attract footfall. To maximise its potential benefits from retail, particular emphasis needs to be placed on independent businesses, and measures should be explored to encourage such businesses. There is much scope for improved provision of cycling, including off-road cycle paths in both directions along the High Street, and for cyclists going to/from the main railway station (including from the east of the town centre). Alcohol and the night-time economy need careful handling to enable an increasing population resident in the town centre to co-exist with a vibrant night-time economy, with planning policy as well as licensing used to ensure licensed premises are not a nuisance to neighbours. This will require further residential developments to incorporate measures to ensure residents do not suffer nuisance from licensed premises (or proposed licenced premises), both while patrons are on the premises and when they are arriving/leaving.
The plan must respond to the economic situation facing the town centre, particularly given the impact of Covid, and development across the Borough must support, and not detract from, the economic success of the town centre.
There are several key requirements to promote the health of this area which I represent in addition to those mentioned. The health of the town centre generally requires the presence of employment, and residential developments need to make provision for space for sufficient employment proportionate to and suitable for the development. In addition the town centre needs more varied leisure opportunities so it is less dependent on retail to attract footfall. To maximise its potential benefits from retail, particular emphasis needs to be placed on independent businesses, and measures should be explored to encourage such businesses. Finally, there is much scope for improved provision of cycling, including off-road cycle paths in both directions along the High Street, and for cyclists going to/from the main railway station (including from the east of the town centre). Alcohol and the night-time economy need careful handling to enable an increasing population resident in the town centre to co-exist with a vibrant night-time economy, with planning policy as well as licensing used to ensure licensed premises are not a nuisance to neighbours. This will require further residential developments to incorporate measures to ensure residents do not suffer nuisance from licensed premises (or proposed licenced premises), both while patrons are on the premises and when they are arriving/leaving.
A clean air policy would be wonderful. No diesel vehicles in the town centre, no traffic on the high street, and electric buses only.
Nothing to add
The new Local Plan should identify areas that the Counciil wants to see improved during the plan period, and set out a strategy too deliver those improvements. The area around Bedford Station, Midland Road and Prebend Street would fall within a priority area for improvements.
No.
LS is a very small rural village with no Town Centre. 1 pub, 1 seasonal caravan park and 1 farm shop.
The plan must respond to the economic situation facing the town centre, particularly given the impact of Covid, and development across the Borough must support, and not detract from, the economic success of the town centre.
Hallam considers that efforts to diversify and maximise the accessibility of the town centre will be important for underpinning its attractiveness in the future. Important will be safe and attractive pedestrian and cycle connections and public transport services, which have the potential to connect immediate settlements around Bedford (e.g. Clapham) in addition to the main urban areas of Bedford and Kempston.