​Plans to ensure Ramsbottom flourishes post-Covid

Proposals are being drawn up to ensure Ramsbottom continues to flourish as a main visitor destination over the next 10 to 15 years.

The impact of Covid-19, and continuing changes to the retail and leisure sector, has prompted council leaders to examine how best to improve and promote the town.

Ramsbottom enjoys a strong reputation for its food and drink outlets with attractions including the East Lancashire Railway, independent retailers and an expanding events programme. It has also been acclaimed as one of the best places in the region to live.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council, said: “Town centres across the country face huge challenges - the rapid growth in online shopping, increasing rents and rates, and a shift in people’s spending away from products to experiences and lifestyle. Furthermore, the effects of Covid-19 will likely be long-lasting, especially on the hospitality sector which is significant in Ramsbottom.

“The centres that remain successful will be those that have a diverse range of visitor and leisure attractions, modern workplaces and a reconfigured and varied retail experience.

“We need to make sure that Ramsbottom can adapt and respond to these changes by further improving the quality, appeal and range of attractions in the town to ensure that its economy thrives and remains attractive to visitors.”

Initial ideas will focus on the town’s public spaces and infrastructure, traffic and parking, leisure and co-ordination of visitor attractions, while identifying sites for development opportunities and ways to attract external investment.

Cllr O’Brien added: “These proposals will complement our regeneration plans for Bury, Radcliffe and Prestwich and make sure that all parts of the borough will recover from Covid and flourish. We’ll be having extensive engagement with local businesses, the community and wider stakeholders because it’s important that we all work together to sustain the town centre’s vibrancy for generations to come.”

Cllr Kevin Thomas, Ramsbottom councillor and deputy cabinet member for the Ramsbottom Town Plan, welcomed the report, saying: “Ramsbottom is such a special place and we want to do all we can to help keep it that way. The last nine months have been tough on all of us, and so many local residents and businesses in Ramsbottom want to work together with the council to recover as strong as we possibly can. This report will help make drawing up a Town Plan a joint effort and one that brings together the best of Ramsbottom.”

At tonight’s cabinet meeting (Tuesday 24 Nov), members will be asked to approve the policy and appoint consultants to help draw up the plans.

ENDS

Press release issued: 24 November 2020.