Todays Town Centre Forum Roundup

Early this morning town centre traders, local stakeholder representatives including the council and the police crammed into a meeting room at the Guildhall for this months Town Centre Forum. Below is a summary of the topics covered:

Christmas Lights
The Christmas lights switch on is to take place on 22nd November 2012 at Queens Square. The forum heard that some new LED lights had been purchased and these were replacing the old bulb style lighting. It was explained that LED displays would considerably reduce electric costs. – Wrexham.com can point you towards Wrexham.com/Lights for more information & details how YOU can switch them on…!

Father Christmas
Santa arrives in Wrexham on Thursday 6th December and will be based in his grotto on Queens Square.

Royal Welch Fusiliers Homecoming
The RWF will be marching through the town on November 29th. The march starts from Yale College at 11.15 and will progress to the Parish Church through the town centre via Rhosddu Rd., Argyle St., Hope St. and Church St. The church service is timed for 12pm.

Remembrance Day Service
The annual remembrance service takes place on Sunday 11th November at Bodhyfryd. The parade musters at Hightown barracks for 10.15 and will make its way to the RWF war memorial via Salop Rd., Mount St., Yorke St. and Chester St. The service will take place around 10.45am ending around 11.30am. Town centre shops were sent a letter asking to ensure no parking or works taking place around this time.

Police Matters
It was reported that policing the town centre was moving in the right direction with crime down by 19.6% on last years figures. That translated into 200 fewer crimes in Wrexham town centre. Shoplifting and antisocial behaviour in the town centre was down 32.7% from 407 over the period last year against 274 for the same period this year.

The police representative felt that the improved figures were achieved by increased visible policing and better use of town centre shops CCTV as well as the town centre street CCTV system. Inspector Mark Williams also explained much of the metals on buildings in the town centre were now ‘treated’ with smart water and will help in tracing the perpetrators of metal crime.

The Inspector also referred to the night time economy. He mentioned the fact that Councillor Hugh Jones, Wrexham’s Lead member for Communities, Partnerships and Collaboration had spent a night and early hours observing the force at work.

Proposed Friday Open Street Market
The forum were informed that the proposed Friday market would not now proceed before Christmas and another meeting would take place in the new year to review any progress. At a previous meeting members of the town centre forum were not on favour of a new market, preferring that the council develop the Monday market.

Bank Street
Councillor McCann raised concerns about ant social behaviour in parts of Bank St. No doubt Cllr McCann will also bring the matter before the appropriate Council committee.

Eagles Meadow Roundabout
Concerns were expressed about the indiscriminate parking directly on the traffic roundabout at the bottom of the ‘Spanish steps’ leading from Eagles Meadow. Some felt that the parking was dangerous and needed addressing. One worthwhile suggestion was to place safety railings (Similar to those on other parts of the towns ring road). It was thought that such railings would prevent parking on the roundabout and pavement.

Street Plans for the Town Centre
These are available, copyright free on the WCBC website. It was mentioned that discussions were still being held with the Rail authorities regarding placing Street Plan boards at the Rail Stations in town. (Wrexham.com has its Wrexham Town Centre Map article here – with ability to download it as well!)

Last months Town Centre Forum round up can be found here.