Springfields bosses outline their role in Spalding town centre revival plan

Springfields bosses vowed that their centre can be an asset for Spalding in the fight to revive its fortunes.

As the debate continues over the future of Spalding town centre – following the closure of Coneys – we asked the outlet shopping and leisure centre about the role it has to play in its future.

A spokesman said that the Camel Gate centre is engaged in talks to form a new business group on behalf of the town and said Springfields is an ‘integral part of Spalding’.

They said: “There is ongoing and productive work with Spalding Town Centre businesses and Springfields is working together to form a collaborative business-led partnership, currently referred to as the ‘Business Board’, and which potentially will evolve into a Business Improvement District (BID).

“The objective of this work is to determine how the businesses can collaborate impactfully, so that they can jointly exert greater influence together on promoting Spalding town, promoting the town’s retail offer, delivering events, raising funding and pooling resources.”

District council leader Nick Worth told this paper he supports these efforts.

He said: “There seems to be quite a lot of optimism about getting a BID. I would be supportive of that.

“They are taking control of their own destiny and it’ll be in their own interest to put on events and make the town attractive. If we can help in any way to make that happen we will.”

As part of the upcoming expansion of Springfields – which already has planning permission – £200,000 has been set aside to help the promotion of Spalding.

Bosses say this can be used to jointly promote the town centre and Springfields in a bid to get people to see both when visiting.

A spokesman said: “Most market towns would love to have their own outlet centre. For instance, Richmond in Yorkshire has recently consented to an outlet and leisure centre nearby.”

They pointed to the Spalding Water Taxi and exisiting promotional material which aim to link the town to Springfields.

Ideas for the future include a joint winter festival and further promotion of the town to Springfields’ mailing list and app users.

Springfields attracts more than 2.3 million visitors a year and employs about 650 staff. It says that 60% of those employees live in Spalding or a five mile area – and 90% are within 15 miles.

It sponsors events such as the Holbeach and Spalding music festivals and supports the nearby St Paul’s primary school.

A study in 2019 suggested the social and economic value to the local area from the development was £4.3 million.