Rutland County Council, Oakham Town Council and Oakham businesses meet at Wisteria Hotel to discuss struggling town centre
Traders and council officers have agreed to work together to breathe new life into the town centre.
The town council and county council invited businesses and traders operating in the centre to a meeting at the Wisteria Hotel on Tuesday evening (October 22) to discuss what can be done to enhance the flagging high street.
Mayor of Oakham Paul Ainslie said: “Like all rural towns it needs rejuvenating.
“We are determined to make Oakham a destination and improve communication and work with retailers and community groups.”
Shops shutting coupled with the partial closure of a road leading off the town centre have caused problems for businesses and so now the county and town council are joining forces to think of a new way forward.
Coun Ainslie described the meeting as ‘well attended and enthusiastically received’ with very good ideas which were put forward - although he refused to reveal what these were when asked by LincsOnline.
About 40 traders based in the market town attended the meeting, many of whom had suggestions on how the town centre economy can be bolstered.
Tom Edwards, manager of B Jewellery in Market Place, raised a number of points, including social media campaigns promoting the town centre.
He said: “If there is any investment from the council it needs to go into social media marketing and building a new narrative of Oakham.
“Also, having something tangible like a leaflet that shows what’s available.”
His points about improving the town market and what’s on offer, promoting Oakham Castle as a tourist destination and co-ordinating events - such as the Christmas late night shopping - with traders’ busiest days also received support from other businesses.
Hetty Arnold, who opened Etta Lingerie and Nightwear in Mill Street at the beginning of this year, attended the meeting after becoming concerned with a drop in trade.
Hetty, who recently opened a shop in Stamford, said: “It was a meeting to understand our enthusiasm and what the council has to work with.
“It is how we can bring Oakham back - it’s more of a campaign.
“There is a very strong passion in the town from the traders to not give up and turn Oakham around.
“Everyone left with goosebumps because we were all on the same page - we are just trying to bring Oakham together.”
Traders also plan to support each other by sharing social media posts.
The ideas are being compiled and another meeting will be held in the coming months.
A spokesperson for Rutland County Council also described the meeting as positive and a step forward.
They said: “During the discussions, we explored various ways to work together more effectively in the future, with a shared commitment to enhancing Oakham Town Centre.
“There was a strong consensus on the importance of regular meetings to maintain momentum, enabling the group to discuss, plan, and implement key initiatives.
“The primary focus will be on continually improving the town centre’s vibrancy and appeal for residents, visitors, and businesses alike, starting with some projects that will be funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.”
