4 January 2007
Town Improvement Manager appointed for Whitehill Bordon
The Whitehill Bordon Town Partnership is delighted that Gerry Thorne has been appointed as the new Town Improvement Manager to co-ordinate the delivery of the Business Breakthrough Initiative.
The role will focus upon improving the town as a place to do business and enhance its attraction as a place to work, for shopping and investment.
The project is supported by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), the local councils, business and community volunteers. The project is managed by East Hampshire District Council on behalf of the Partnership.
The initial tasks are to implement four projects identified as priorities in the Town Action Plan. These “breakthrough” projects are to:
• Improve the level of local business support, training and advice available to both prospective and established small businesses.
• Develop the website www.gu35.info as resource for business, investors and the community
• Improve the attractiveness of the town centre for shoppers and other visitors. Initially to create a noticeable visual improvement through the planned refurbishment and integration of the Forest Shopping Centre with the Forest Community Centre. The first phase, supported by the funds allocated to the Breakthrough Initiative, is to deliver traffic management and urban landscape improvements between the Forest Shopping and Community Centres.
• Support the development of the Whitehill Bordon Business Breakthrough Group as the voice for the businesses in the town.
Gerry joins the project after serving in the Hampshire Constabulary for 30 years. This included service as the Sector Inspector for the Whitehill and Bordon area.
Gerry Thorne said: ”I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to work on this project. I look forward to working with the businesses and people of the town to deliver the improvements identified in Business Breakthrough Initiative.”
Initially the post will be based in the Community Team at the District Council Offices at Penns Place, Petersfield. Gerry aims to move into the Whitehill and Bordon area as soon as possible. Therefore, one of his first tasks will be to find a suitable office to work from closer to the heart of the project. Gerry is keen to hear from any local business or property owner who may be able to offer suitable accommodation as a contribution to the project.
Bill Wain, Chairman of the Town Partnership said: “I am very pleased to welcome someone with such a wealth of local experience, which will greatly benefit the effectiveness of the role.”
Ian Dowdle, Chairman of the Business Breakthrough Initiative said: “We are pleased to have Gerry Thorne, who has a great deal of knowledge of the Town and its people, and is known to the community as a person who can get the job done.”