The revitalisation of Axminster came under the spotlight at this week's town council meeting, when residents were urged to give their views on the future of their town – and one suggestion being put forward is the pedestrianisation of the town centre.

A virtual public meeting will be held on Monday, March 15 to discuss the Axminster Neighbourhood Plan, East Devon District Council's Adaptation, Innovation and Resilience Project and how the council moves forward with the engagement of the community.

The public are being urged to join via video conferencing app Zoom and give their views on the future development of Axminster, as the town council also considers its corporate response to East Devon District Council's new Local Plan.

Barrie Hedges, speaking during the public forum at this week's council meeting on behalf of Totally Locally Axminster, the organisation which promotes independent traders, offered full support from Axminster's trading community.

He told the council: "As some of you will know, we have over the past 18 months run a series of 'shop local' initiatives and have involved more than 50 individual traders.

Great deal of momentum

"I would very much like to express our enthusiasm for a concerted effort to revitalise the town centre and equip it for the future. Please be assured that we will support you in any way that we can.

"As you start to look at how best to take things forward I think there is plenty there to encourage you because we by no means start with a blank sheet. There is already a great deal of momentum and quite a lot of private investment.

"Inevitably, quite a lot relates to Trinity House where around £1million is being invested in a turnaround of quite epic proportions. As our anchor shop, Trinity House is fundamental.

"As a result of that project we have a revitalised Lou La Belle, the Crafty Hobbit and a highly significant new phase in the extraordinary Community Waffle House.

"But it's not just Trinity House, there have been a whole series of businesses that have quite remarkably either set up or expanded during lockdown.

"To name but some, there's the Corner House Bakery, the Cow and the Bean, the Rabbit Hole Barbershop, Not Just Veg and West Street Picture Framing. They are all signs of an intrinsic belief in Axminster and its potential.

"And what's more there's more to come. There's a major new investment coming at the former McColls. There will two further retail businesses in Trinity House and maybe a large supermarket on the Axminster Carpets site.

"All that is hugely encouraging given that we already have some very strong and unique shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants forming the bedrock.

Pandemic has helped

"In a perverse sort of way, I think our cause has actually been helped by the pandemic because people are more likely to shop local now than for a very long time. Big towns have lost much of their appeal.

"People appreciate how hard their local businesses have fought through lockdown. And they have responded to our 'shop local' initiatives.

"There is a very strong feeling that people not just want Axminster back but they need it back.

"The momentum is certainly there and there is also quite a range of funding available. Amongst it is the government's High Street Fund - and we are long overdue to get some of that.

"But there are also Historic England grants. Chard has been awarded a £1million grant from that fund yet it appears to me to be a lot less historic than Axminster.

"In terms of what is actually done in the public realm to facilitate the process, there is no shortage of opportunities – some easy quick wins and some longer term.

"One I think many of us would love to see would be the pedestrianising of Trinity Square and Silver Street. Alongside it is overcoming traffic and serious road safety issues. My vision is of al fresco dining in a town centre that is owned by pedestrians, with vehicles very much in second place.

"Electric car charging should be another priority. I know Simon Smith from the Community Waffle House would like to talk to you on that and would say only that the potential spend in our town centre if we establish Axminster as a charging town is considerable.

Give the community a voice

"How about a scheme to encourage traders to refresh their shopfronts – Seaton has already taken that bold step so isn't it one we should look at?

"The Websters garage site needs to be unlocked. And much more could perhaps be done to take full advantage of the town's relationship with the River Axe."

In conclusion, Mr Hedges added: "I am in no doubt that the pieces are all there for the regeneration of Axminster.

"What's really needed right now is some glue to bond together town, district and county councils and to draw the strength that is on offer from the business community and from individual land owners and landlords. And most of all to give the community a voice.

"There is a real opportunity out there in Axminster right now and I think it's important that we grasp it firmly and confidently and that we try to show some quick progress. We are very much with you on this."

Speaking in the public forum, district councillor Andrew Moulding said he would like to endorse all that was being done by Totally Locally.

"We have all got the centre of Axminster very much at heart," he said.

"Later we shall be talking about the Neighbourhood Plan and it is vital that the centre of Axminster, pedestrianisation and the development of Websters Garage should be included in that revitalised neighbourhood plan."

Another member of the public, Alan Kennard, said he was not privy to any supporting documents that members of the council may have.

He warned that the council were at "the eleventh hour" with regard to East Devon's Local Plan as they had four days to file the town's comments to the district council.

He told the council: "We now the draft of the plan is out of date and incomplete. I urge your council to connect with the wider sections of the community, the whole populace and not just the traders and give the matter the highest priority.

"Axminster missed out on the previous East Devon plan and I can remember Andrew Moulding reminding the council that you had little time to get comments in at that particular moment.

"Let's make sure Axminster actually delivers this time. And don't let others decide out future."

Town clerk Hilary Kirkaldie urged members of the public to respond to the online consultation from East Devon District Council. She added that there would be several opportunities "along the way" for the public and the town council to comment.

Deputy mayor Andrea Sedgewick, chairman of the Axminster Neighbourhood Plan working party, said they were recommending going ahead with the plan with a timescale in tandem with EDDC's Local Plan using the same headings and the same structure working towards completion and publication by 2023-24.

She said: "We are proposing to conduct a widespread consultation with residents and businesses and all members of the community on sections to include housing, leisure facilities, health and education."

The council decided to take the Axminster Neighbourhood Plan forward with further investment taken from reserves.

It was agreed the public would be invited to take part in a Zoom meeting on Monday (March 15), starting at 7.30pm. All parishioners and business owners are invited to participate and give their views.

Details on how to join the meeting are available here.

————————————————————

You can submit your own news straight to Axminster Nub News by using the 'Nub It'button on our homepage. This can also be done for free for events on our What's On page and businesses, groups and organisations on our Local List page by using the 'Nub It' button.

Please like and follow our online newspaper on your favourite social media channel. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter. And don't forget to sign up to our free weekly newsletter below!