A newsletter aimed at keeping a huge range of individuals and groups in touch with what's happening in Bury St Edmunds town centre has been launched today by St Edmundsbury Borough Council.
With the start of the new multi-screen cinema due next month and plans for the multi-million pound Cattle Market redevelopment now under consideration, town centre issues are hot topics for discussion. While the local media is doing a great job in publicising the issues there's not always enough space in newspapers or on the airwaves to cover every topic or reach everyone. St Edmundsbury's newsletter will add to the debate by giving another route into the community and providing another way for people to feed back their comments.
The newsletter is being emailed to a wide range of organisations, such as parish councils, businesses, the voluntary sector and amenity groups as well as individuals. All those on the list are people who have had contact with St Edmundsbury in the past but the council is looking to expand the list and email the newsletter to anyone who's interested. Copies will also be available at Council receptions, the Tourist Information Centre and on St Edmundsbury's website, which can be accessed in public libraries for those who do not have access at home.
Among the topics in the first issue are the cinema, car parking, future trade and the next meeting of the Cattle Market Redevelopment Working Party - which will be looking at the brief due to go to architects for the new public venue at the heart of the development. As time goes on and development work starts the newsletter will be a way of keeping many people informed about issues such as possible traffic disruption and changes to car parking arrangements.
Future issues will keep people up to date with changes to the development as ideas evolve and give more details on topics such as car parking as well as outlining the ways St Edmundsbury is working to make sure the town has one unified town centre which builds on its current unique charm and attractiveness.
In the first issue Cattle Market Working Party Chairman Cllr Andrew Varley says:
"The most exciting thing about the Cattle Market development is that all of us - the people of the Borough who made their wishes clear and who have closely watched progress so far, the Council officers who have worked so hard to realise our ambitions for the scheme, and the elected members with whom rest the final decisions - are taking part in a special moment in the history of Bury St Edmunds, a unique opportunity to shape the future prosperity of the town and the region it serves.
The vision we share is ambitious. Inevitably challenges have arisen along the way and more will arise as the development moves on to its next phase: these do not detract from the scheme; rather they are themselves opportunities to hone plans and to ensure that what we achieve is what is best for the Borough and its people. The Cattle Market development, when complete, will soon be seen as an integral part of Bury and the key to its success in the years to come."
Contact details are included in the newsletter so people can feed back their comments and suggest articles for future issues. If any individual or group wants to be included on the email list email contact details need to be sent to communications@stedsbc.gov.uk
ENDS
ISSUED BY MARIANNE HULLAND, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757034. marianne.hulland@stedsbc.gov.uk
