| Around 30 town retailers met with the managers of Newbury’s Vision project last night to discuss how to boost takings after the resurfacing of Northbrook Street is completed.
In a bid to improve levels of communication with shoppers and visitors, posters could be displayed on lampposts depicting the street after its £500,000 makeover. And West Berkshire Council was also asked to consider a two-hour free parking session to bring back shoppers, as more and more outlets report significant drop in sales.
Under new chairman Andy Goodwin, a wide range of topics were covered. Market manager Steve Brind complained that the town centre manager’s plans to import a Christmas market for 10 days in December could dent takings for both stallholders and shopkeepers.
Town centre steering group chairman Peter Atkinson explained how Newbury could benefit from the London 2012 Olympics, through a predicted upturn in tourism. Marketing company DestinationNewbury has asked the steering group for £6000 to research the local tourist market.
There was universal relief at the news that Park Way Bridge is reopening after a month of gridlock in town, but Southern Gas Networks was criticized for the amount of dust flying around resulting from them digging up Bartholomew Street and Mansion House Street. | 
