Government has ‘stymied’ provision of enough business premises in Thame

THAME’S loss of suitable business premises for growing firms to move into, is the fault of the government’s planning regulations, was one of the views discussed at Thame’s first Town Centre Business Forum.

The forum, held on Thursday, November 2, brought together several Thame town centre businesses and organisations, including 21st Century Thame, architects, recruitment agencies, cafe owners, hairdressers, therapists and accountancy firms. It was set up by Thame’s Market Town Co-ordinator, Becky Reid, to support and improve the economic vitality of the town centre by giving an opportunity for regular communication between local authorities and private business and other stakeholders in the town.

Government has ‘stymied’ us

Helena Fickling, who has a Architectural practice, told delegates: “Central government has stymied efforts to provide business space with its ‘Lawful development’ planning regulation which means that developers can change vacated officer buildings into apartments without planning permission for change of use.

“What happened with the Angus Fire building in Wenman Road in Thame illustrates the point.”

“There’s lots of space for new houses but not enough for employment space,” suggested another delegate.

Digital Thame, parking and spruced up town entry points

During an open discussion, delegates discussed their suggested priorities for the forum to focus on at future meetings. These included more information sharing between the local authorities and local businesses, a regular news letter, a ‘digital presence’ for Thame – perhaps an information App for visitors to the town where businesses could advertise, recruitment, a parking attendant for the town centre and improvements to some of the town’s entrances, particularly the ‘Waitrose’ roundabout in Aylesbury Road.

Sally Evans, who runs regular Artists and Makers fairs in the town hall, suggested that the international markets that come to the town should be better managed, citing crowded and blocked pedestrian areas making moving around difficult and unsafe at times, for pedestrians and wheelchair users.

‘Smelly’ toilets and the cost of cardboard waste removal

Another delegate complained about ‘smelly’ toilets and the Chair of the forum, Cllr Peter Lambert, suggested a joint cardboard waste recycling system, to possibly be used in conjunction with Windles, who have a recycling machine that turns cardboard into pellets that can be recycled. Such a scheme could replace the current system where independent businesses have to pay SODC per bag to have waste cardboard taken away.

The future of Thame’s economy

Becky Reid described her role as Market Town Co-ordinator and what she had been doing to support the town centre economy, including events like the ‘Dressed to Impress’ shop window competition, working with 21st Century Thame to up-date the shopping guide, the recent Art Trail and the business survey.  Her Action Plan can be read in full HERE

Also at the forum, talking about his role as SODC’s Economic Development Officer, David Cookson talked about SODC’s Corporate Plan for Thame, ‘creating the right conditions for economic growth over the next four years’, including the branded SO Business website, which is a one-stop information and advise point for SMEs. His Action Plan for Thame has four priorities: Super-fast Broadband, providing Business Space in the district, working to fill skills and employment gaps in a district that has almost full employment; to improve engagement with businesses.

Future meeetings for Thame businesses

January 18, 2018 – Noggin Workshop ‘Data’. Times 3pm – 7pm. This will be a 2-part workshop with Businesses invited from 5pm. Details to follow.

Town Centre Business forums. 5.30pm. Upper Chamber, Thame town hall – 15 Feb; 19 Apr; 21 Jun; 13 Sept; 15 Nov; with an event on 1 Dec to celebrate Small Business Saturday.