A £2m programme to share knowledge and good practice in revitalising market towns has been launched by Action for Market Towns (AMT).

The Towns Alive initiative will run over five years, supported by £1m from the Big Lottery Fund.

Aimed primarily at AMT’s 400 members, it will help build skills within market town partnerships to help them tackle key pressures affecting their futures.

A market towns academy will develop and run training programmes to boost the business skills of market town partnerships. One of the first pilot courses planned will focus on leadership skills.

‘Those partnerships which have been successful have been those with good heads,’ said Chris Wade, chief executive of AMT.

‘It’s about developing their business skills so they can get on and secure their future.’

A market towns ‘knowledge hub’ will collate and coordinate research and policy studies affecting market towns to bring greater weight and influence to national and regional policy.

One of the first campaigns will be on the issue of community-led planning.

A ‘towns-for-towns’ programme will use peer-to-peer learning to help towns share knowledge and good practice.

The programme will have a strong online presence, with web-based training courses and case studies.

The last ten years have seen market towns get to grips with their immediate problems, but the challenge for the future is to move ‘beyond the market square’, according to Mr Wade.

Some of the more difficult future challenges include environmental issues such as flooding, along with the supply of affordable housing.

‘The support that Action for Market Towns will be able to provide through the Towns Alive programme will help market town partnerships make a step change in their effectiveness as agents of change and progress in their towns,’ he said.

The initiative was launched at AMT’s national convention in Skipton by broadcaster and presenter John Craven.

‘During nearly 20 years on Countryfile I’ve visited just about every corner of the British countryside and come across many dedicated, enthusiastic people responsible for the success of their local communities,’ he said.

‘But their work needs to be highlighted, to be brought to a wider public – which is why I’m delighted to be involved with AMT’s Towns Alive programme.’

Anyone wanting to find out more about the initiative should call 0845 6446 202 or email info@towns.org.uk

by Clare Goff
clare@newstartmag.co.uk