WEB Projects


WEB input to Village Plan

The Wheathampstead Village Plan, launched in April at the Annual Parish Meeting, is a very exciting initiative and will address the multitude of issues raised by residents during the Village Survey carried out in 2008.

The single most pressing concern for residents was the plight of our shops and businesses.  WEB has been heavily involved in analysing the findings and identifying the ways in which our business community can best be helped.  The outcome is an action plan comprising 21 action points: we are driving 12 of these ourselves, and will be working with the Parish Council on the others 

Now comes the time to deliver.  We have already contacted local businesses about business rates  - and how to claim for Small Business Rate Relief. 

The areas that we shall be looking at next are:

1.  Marketing the local business community – for example, a business fair, open days, promotions in the Pump magazine

2.  Attracting new businesses to Wheathampstead and marketing the village as a business location to the outside world – for example, encouraging business-to-business activity, involving letting agents and business advice centres, promoting the village in the media.

This is a major project, but the benefits for Wheathampstead will be immense.  If you have any good ideas, or would like to get involved in making it happen, please contact Norman Whitwood:  chair@wheathampstead.org.uk

Updated December 2009

Small Business Engagement Accord

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has developed a voluntary code of practice for local authorities in south-east England.  The purpose is to encourage a more productive dialogue between local authorities and local businesses.  

The result is that local authorities take a proactive approach to engaging with businesses.  In particular, it means that businesses have the opportunity to participate in the decision-making process, and to understand the reasons behind the final decisions that are taken.   

WEB has discussed the Accord with a number of businesses in Wheathampstead and there is strong local support for the idea.  WEB is therefore asking the Parish Council to sign up to the Accord.

December 2009

Finding a place to park

Finding somewhere to park in Wheathampstead can sometimes be a problem.   What is more, East Lane car park, which is already often full, will come under increased pressure when One Stop converts to Tesco (planned for later in 2009). 

The last thing we want is for visitors to the village - among them our potential customers - to move on elsewhere without stopping simply because they’re unable to park.

WEB is therefore looking at the issue of traffic control within the village  In particular we want to carry out a fresh survey of car park usage at East Lane.  The information this provides should be very useful when deciding to what extent the car park needs to expand. 

In the meantime, if anyone has any ideas on how to improve traffic control in Wheathampstead, please let us know by emailing secretary@wheathampstead.org.uk  We shall be happy to pass on suitable ideas to the Parish Council.

July 2009

Car Boot Sales

WEB has been managing a series of car boot sales over the past months in East Lane car park  We see this as a way of bringing extra custom into the village.  And we believe there will be significant benefits for our local businesses - especially those that are able to open on the first Sunday morning of each month when we hold the sales.

The sales have been a great success and - except when there has been heavy rain - up to 40 cars have been on the site.  This is close to the maximum capacity of the area of the car park that we use.

The last sale this year is in December, and we plan to start up again in late Spring.  Watch out for the posters advertising future sales!  If you would like to book a space, please contact Norman Whitwood on chair@wheathampstead.org.uk

 

November 2009