Retail expert highlights improvements to Spading town centre

Work is underway to create a successful town centre, a retail expert told Spalding and District Civic Society members.

Graham Soult gave his presentation ‘Reinventing Spalding Together’ at the civic society’s annual meeting, which was described as ‘informative and uplifting’.

Mr Soult, who is a member of the Government-established High Streets Task Force and is a regular on the One Show, feels that the town could offer ‘character and experiences’.

He has family connections to the area and has previously put forward ideas of how to boost the town’s future including calling on people to be more positive about Spalding.

A society press release said: “Graham has been impressed by the improvements in the town over the last 18 months or so and, in his view, Spalding is starting to do the right things to deliver a successful High Street in the future. Examples being the new wayfinding signage, more town centre events, our MARK-IT Trail and increased collaboration between different organisations. This will be important in arriving at a shared vision for the future of the town.”

The civic society has recently installed statues of Lincoln Long Wool Sheep and Lincoln Red Cattle in Sheep Market and New Road to help celebrate the town’s livestock markets.

New red and black tourist information signs has been installed at various locations in the town centre as part of the Spalding Reconnected project.

The society, which was pleased with the attendance at the annual meeting, is hoping to attract new members to help support the town going forward.

The press release added: “The relaunch of the Civic Voice website and the support of other organisations such as the Institute of Place Management, provide a real opportunity for Spalding and District Civic Society to play an important and vital role in the future success of Spalding.

“We can only do that with more members of the society and more active involvement from members its running.

“Nationally, Civic Societies have been empowering citizens to be active in their local communities for well over a century. We have been doing so in Spalding for over 60 years.

“The Civic Movement supports and encourages Civic Pride. It does not need some magic formula. It just needs people to come together and play an active role in shaping the town.”

It is looking for people who can help with fundraising, publicity, updating the website along with someone with an interest in trees.

Anyone interested in joining the society should visit its website.