Upbeat message for Oswestry businesses

While plans for an Innovation Park on the edge of Oswestry enter a new phase, those behind the Oswestry Business Improvement District scheme have announced the launch of a website and drop-in meetings for firms.

And the town's chamber of commerce has announced a new system of working, with it leadership shared out between leading business people in the town to ensure the body can continue to play a vital role in the Oswestry's future.

Business bosses say the new era will be positive for the town.

Oswestry Innovation Park, to be developed on land off the Mile End roundabout, is a key feature of Shropshire Council's draft economic growth strategy.

Consultation closed on the strategy last week and feedback received will be used to develop a final strategy and development of an action plan which aims to bring thousands of jobs and homes to Shropshire.

Ian Follington, the new chairman of the BID project, said the Innovation Park could only be good for Oswestry.

He said: "It would be part of the positivity. We would very much like to see it go ahead as jobs and the arrival of new businesses, combined with skills training and education can only help with the investment in the town and help existing businesses. A rising tide lifts ships and we believe the tide is rising for Oswestry."

Mr Follington said the BID project had now entered a vital stage too.

Businesses now have the chance to find out more and put forward ideas about plans for Oswestry to be named a BID area.

Oswestry would become a Business Improvement District if local firms vote for the move later this year.

Gaining BID status would see business paying an extra levy on their rates and that money would be used to improve the town and potentially draw down other funding from other sources.

The Oswestry BID group this week launched a new website and is embarking on a survey of businesses across the town.

It is also to start holding drop-in meetings, the first two on May 19 and 22.

Mr Follington, who was elected as BID chairman last week, said the aim was to find out more about local issues and what businesses would like to see for Oswestry.

He said: "We are very grateful for the support of Oswestry Town Council and Shropshire Council and things are looking very positive.

"Oswestry has a lot of different people and organisations doing lots rowing in different boats at the moment.

"If we could get them all into the same boat, just think how fast we could row.

"Obviously the benefits a BID brings to the defined area can vary but a BID is a powerful, independent voice representing the interests of a varied community of organisations, committed to working together to ensure that the area continues to progress whilst providing the best possible trading and working environment for its occupiers and broader community."

The first drop-in meeting will be held at Momentum Wines on Oswestry Industrial Estate on May 19 with the second at a venue to be confirmed in the town centre on May 22.

Meanwhile, Oswestry Chamber of Commerce has revamped its organisation.

Seven business bosses have been elected to the body's executive group.

Given the extensive combined business and administrative skills of the executive, coupled with executive members’ own business commitments, it was agreed that the role of chair would rotate between each executive member on a monthly basis.

The BID website can be found at www.oswestry4bid.co.uk