1. MARKET TOWNS AND RURAL CENTRES AS ECONOMIC HUBS Helen Harris –Better Places Team Leader 0116 3057025

2. Existing provision/position Existing provision/position Challenges/gaps/opportunities Challenges/gaps/opportunities Priorities for action/intervention Priorities for action/intervention

3. What is a Market Town /Rural Centre ? Emda definition – population under 20,000 Emda definition – population under 20,000 Market charter Market charter Number of services settlement provides- Number of services settlement provides- current mapping work/user satisfaction survey current mapping work/user satisfaction survey

4. What is the existing position? Town Centre Partnership- Business Driven Town Centre Partnership- Business Driven Loughborough, Hinckley, Coalville and Melton Mowbray. Improvement Partnerships – Focus on whole community Improvement Partnerships – Focus on whole community Broughton Astley, Lutterworth, Market Harborough, Earl Shilton and Ashby.

5. What is existing position? BID- Business Improvement District BID- Business Improvement District Hinckley- vote in November-sustainability Future- Loughborough and Melton Town Centre Action Plans – for example Ashby and Market Harborough – Issues ; Town Centre Action Plans – for example Ashby and Market Harborough – Issues ; environment, community, business, transport

6. What is existing position? Town Centre Masterplans- site specific Town Centre Masterplans- site specific Focus- Retail Improvements -Community uses -Community uses - Leisure - Leisure - Transport interchanges - Transport interchanges - public realm - public realm Loughborough, Hinckley, Lutterworth, Coalville In production- Oadby, Wigston, South Wigston, Blaby and Melton

7. What is an economic hub? Retail – Town centre/ out of town Retail – Town centre/ out of town Employment – decline traditional industry Employment – decline traditional industry - Increase in service/distribution industries - Increase in service/distribution industries Present economic climate- Increase in number of vacant units, difficulties in engaging with retailers, getting people into town centres from employment sites. Present economic climate- Increase in number of vacant units, difficulties in engaging with retailers, getting people into town centres from employment sites.

8. What gaps/opportunities exist in the current provision in Market Towns? Shop front improvement grants Shop front improvement grants Living/working over the shop Living/working over the shop Rate relief schemes for new businesses Rate relief schemes for new businesses Park and ride schemes for businesses on outskirts at lunchtimes Park and ride schemes for businesses on outskirts at lunchtimes Loyalty cards Loyalty cards

9. Priorities for action/intervention?