The manager of the Letchworth Garden City Bid is setting out his stall to bring a bright future to the town.
Tom Hardy – who has lived in Letchworth all his life – is not short of ambition, with plans for the year including the town’s first beer and world food festival in October, a Christmas market and giant ice rink in Broadway Garden for eight weeks over the festive period and even a garden gnome bowling world championship challenge in the summer.
As BID manager – a role to which he was appointed in January – Tom will be pushing forward with delivering a £250,000 town centre signage scheme which is due to be completed by October this year and aims to attract new visitors into the town.
He said: “The BID has set out an action plan to increase footfall and vibrancy in the town centre.
“As well as various schemes directed at helping town centre businesses, the action plan will see the introduction of a weekly Thursday market in Leys Avenue and a weekly Sunday car boot sale in the car park by the former Town Hall.
“I have met many business owners, councillors and other local bodies and I have been surprised by the extraordinary level of commitment and engagement within Letchworth’s business community.”
Tom also believes that the approval of a number of town centre relocations and new restaurants demonstrates a vote of confidence in Letchworth.
On Saturday, Tom was on ribbon-cutting duty to celebrate Amron’s House of Fashion move into the Arcade which – along with the relocation of Aspidistra – will pave the way for a Premier Inn on Station Road.
After the relocation of the YMCA charity shop into a new unit at Commerce Way, Tom is looking forward to seeing largely London-based restaurant Wildwood moving into corner premises in Eastcheap.
“I am pleased to see that building work is well under way for the new Wildwood restaurant,” he said.
“Over the past few years we have been building up on our collection of eateries and this addition will give a much needed boost to the day and night time economy.
“The BID will be offering its support in any way it can to ensure Wildwood and many others thrive in the town centre for what is set to be a very exciting year ahead.”
For more information visit loveletchworth.com or contact events@loveletchworth.com.
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