Plans to transform Spalding town centre into vibrant destination with a bustling nightlife
A struggling town centre could reinvent itself as a vibrant destination for long weekends away with a bustling nightlife.
Sarah Fletcher has been tasked with the job of rejuvenating Spalding’s fortunes after taking on the role of Business Improvement District manager.
Speaking to LincsOnline, she has spelled out her vision for the town, which Sarah hopes can blend the area’s eye-catching historical beauty with a bold approach to cafe culture, complemented by independent stores.
In the short term, however, free parking events are being planned to encourage locals back into town.
See also: Angry trader vows to fight ‘mafia-esque’ levy for town’s BID
“We want to appeal to a much-wider public. Why can’t Spalding be a destination for a long weekend?” asked Sarah, who believes the area needs to be shouted about far and wide.
“Spalding has some wonderful attractions, it’s got the River Welland, Ayscoughfee Hall, many events like the Flower Parade and Pumpkin Festival. They’re all unique events - but we need to send the message about getting out of city life and spending a weekend in Spalding.
“If we can do that it could boost the local economy.
“I used to go to the cattle market with my dad before it became Sainsbury’s. We don’t want to go to a past that can’t be recreated, but hang on to that history the town is built on.”
As BID manager, Sarah’s role is to help Spalding town centre thrive.
But she also believes that many of South Holland’s nearby landmarks could also mutually benefit from a strong working relationship.
Listing the likes of Moulton Mill and the rich history of Donington - birthplace and final resting place of explorer Matthew Flinders and a regular destination for Australian tourists - Sarah is adamant that an extensive tourism package could suit all.
“If you come for a weekend we could work with destinations just outside Spalding,” she suggested.
“I’m not here to promote them, but if there are more things they would like to see in the area they can always stay in Spalding, see a show at the South Holland Centre, eat at our restaurants, stay in our hotels and Air BnBs.”
For many trippers on weekend’s away, the night out is an equal - if not bigger - draw when choosing a destination.
“We need to have more of an evening economy,” added Sarah who hopes the planned tougher rules on the pedestrianisation of the town centre will create a change in the evening dynamic.
“There might be some opportunities where cafes and bars could get people out more.
“You get more of that feel. We also need to make sure the town is welcoming, there are people who may feel more needs to be done about anti-social behaviour.
“The hanging baskets are one thing that make the place look more appealing, there are other things (we could look at) like better lighting.”
To attract the public, the first stage has to be putting Spalding firmly on the map and into the minds of people looking for a break, which is where social media and the internet come into play.
“As a BID we have some big plans, but the first one is to create a destination that all visitors would want to come to - so promotion and marketing will be a big part of our work in the next few weeks, to create that digital footprint.
“We want to create What’s On guides and highlight events. We don’t want to compete with anybody but enhance what’s already happening.
“We want to find the gaps, we don’t want to rush off and do something. For example, at Christmas. there is the light switch on, what can we do in addition to that to make people want to stay or keep coming back?
Sarah, who has taken up her role after spending a decade as the chief executive of Healthwatch Lincolnshire, has lived in and around South Holland for the majority of her life.
She hopes her local knowledge and passion for the area will put her in a good position to deliver improvements, but she remains firmly aware that Spalding’s BID begins at a tough time for the high street.
With many long-standing staples of the town centre such as New Look, Robert Goddard, Halifax and Barclays shutting up shop recently, coupled with betting shops vying to fill those vacant buildings, the race is on to ensure the town centre remains a place people want to visit.
With the sun out, Spalding’s current town centre beer gardens and cafes are enjoying a boom in trade, but how can Spalding build on this momentum while providing additional extras?
“We have been talking to people with expertise in these areas (rejuvenating town centres) and looking at towns where BIDs have been very successful.
“We want to be looking at what they have done, and we definitely want to get more independent shops into the town.”
The BID - which is funded by a levy imposed on shopkeepers in the town centre, after being narrowly voted in by traders a year ago - has proven controversial in the area, with many smaller stores arguing this monthly payment is hitting already struggling businesses.
But despite this, Sarah says she has been ‘pleasantly pleased by the feedback’ from shopkeepers she has met so far.
“This BID could be absolutely brilliant if people get behind it and back it,” she added.
“We all want the same thing, Spalding to be a great place to live, to work and to visit.
“That’s why I’m doing the job. Because I grew up and lived around Spalding all my life and I don’t want it to be this place with the negativity you see on social media.”
“At Healthwatch we knew the strength of the voice and the power of the voice can make things happen. The more people behind this and shouting about Spalding the better.”