Mary Portas Pilot Town

Grant Shapps, the Minister for Housing and Planning, recently announced that Dartford was successful in its bid to be a Mary Portas pilot town.  No less than 370 other towns applied for this status, showing just how sought after this assistance is.

Locally some people have commented unfavourably at the fact that the bid comes with just £79,000 but this misses the point that the concept is much more than a monetary one. The Portas team are looking to build on the fresh ideas that the Council already have implemented for the Town Centre. Empty shops will be used as Training Centres and community groups will be given opportunities to operate within the High Street.  A loyalty card scheme will also be offered to encourage people back to the Town Centre and new businesses will be given assistance to open market stalls.

This innovation will not change the High Street overnight but there are no disadvantages to winning this bid.  It will build on the work already started by the Council and help to create the High Street we are all looking for.  This is why literally hundreds of other unsuccessful towns are enviously watching the opportunities that this bid has given to Dartford.  It is also why the vast majority of retailers in Dartford supported the bid.

The Portas bid forms just part of the plans for the Town Centre. The regeneration of Lowfield Street with help enormously with that part of the Town and will complement the work that has already taken place to improve Central Park.

We are not going to have a perfect Town Centre overnight but the Council’s positive approach and determination to improve things in Dartford will help to ensure that the Town Centre’s dark days are behind it.