MEMBERS of Bordon action group showed that they mean business at a recent Whitehill Town Council meeting. Tony Corbin and Ian Dowdle, who are part of the Business Breakthrough Forum, presented councillors with a document outlining the group's intent to rejuvenate business in Bordon. The forum is made up of local business representatives and service providers such as East Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, Business Link Wessex and the Federation of Small Businesses, who want to improve business in Bordon. The report called for "Action now rather than continued inaction." This, it said,would mean both short and medium term regeneration of the area. Any action taken would not hinder longer-term opportunities that might arise in the future such as a Ministry of Defence land release. It is hoped that the short-term regeneration, involving a dialogue with all interested parties, will help local business entrepreneurs who have invested in the area to get a return on their investment. "It will provide much-needed additional retail outlets on the High Street and additional small business premises," said Mr Corbin. "The report also recommends several traffic management changes on the A325, signage that helps integrate the High Street, Chalet Hill and the Forest Centre including improved pedestrian access to and from each." The report also states that regeneration coupled with some planned visual improvements on the High Street will give visitors a much better first impression of the town. This will encourage people to "stop and shop" rather than drive through. "These activities should contribute to the success levels of local businesses and local employment opportunities and help the real aim. This is to have Bordon and Whitehill externally perceived as an up- and-coming town and an increasingly good place in which to do business," explained Mr Corbin. The town council gave support to the group and its proposals. The council believe that the High Street and Chalet Hill are desperately short of shopping outlets and this must be a priority. At present, business owners are frustrated by the "inaction" of the district council and the visual deterioration of the High Street. An organisation has already submitted a plan which would help to improve the visual image of the area, but that was refused and an appeal has been lodged. The Business Breakthrough Forum initiative is scheduled to be formally launched at a high profile event at Bordon Camp on the evening of Wednesday, March 16. This will include details of specific services and events that will be available to local businesses, such as free one-to-one business advice clinics, seminars, workshops and the establishment of a new local business club. The confirmation and invitations to the event will be issued early next month. Local business owners and directors are advised to make a note of the date. The report will be slightly adjusted following some suggestions by councillors last week. The report will then be forwarded to EHDC's development control committee for consideration and comment before the end of January. The town council can also make its views known to the district council separately.
