To receive the above report.

The Chairman gave a verbal report to the forum on behalf of Paul Roach, Windsor Town Manager who had sent his apologies.

The report stated that footfall remained strong in the town centres throughout Christmas and the New Year. Several stores closed within the town centre, but it was expected that a number of new brands would arrive.

The report contained an update on the Platinum Jubilee celebrations that would occur in Windsor from February to June 2022 to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee. A committee had been established to facilitate the events, and details of the website were given to view the events that were planned.

The Chairman stated that the Hello Lamppost scheme had seen 8,260 interactions with 1,593 unique users. Business trading in Clewer, Dedworth and Ascot remained good with business retention high compared to other parts of the Royal Borough. Ascot High Street had retained good business unit retention and very few occupancy units. Compared to the national average, Ascot, Dedworth and Clewer were operating well above those levels in other parts of the country.

The Chairman said that car parking between December 2021 and January 2022 continued to decrease, with anecdotal information received from businesses indicating that customers felt that parking in the town centre was too expensive and that the quality and amount of parking was poor. Coach parking had continued to significantly underperform due to international travel not yet returning to the UK. Footfall was up 141.4% on the previous year, with 417,575 visitors for the year to date.

The Chairman said that the vacancy rate of businesses had increased as a number of businesses coming out of Christmas and New Year sales were not able to sustain their businesses beyond February and March 2022, with the possibility of other businesses leaving the town centre before the end of March. Work was being done with local agents to understand the current view on future lets within the town centre and what could be done to support this. Bovington’s Estate Agent had recently opened in the town centre, whilst Five Guys, Estetica, Ole Steen and Mama Mia were all undergoing development. Rush, White Stuff and Schuh had recently closed.

Councillor Davey asked for clarification on the nature of the Bandstand Live event in Alexandra Gardens. Julia White responded by stating that it was her belief that it was a programme of music through the summer at the bandstand on Sunday afternoons.

Councillor Tisi stated that the dates for the Clewer and Dedworth picnic in the park was wrong. The correct dates were 2 July and 3 July, not 9 July as stated in the report. The chairman thanked Councillor Tisi for her comments.

Councillor Davies stated that restrictions were still in place for the feeding of swans because of Avian Flu. Councillor Davies also stated that a single use plastic action plan meeting had been held by Plastic Free Windsor, Green Earth Plan and Sustainability Officers. Guidance was being put in place about good practice relating to the Jubilee celebrations and reducing single use plastic usage.

Julia White responded by stating that the Big Lunch being held on the Long Walk on 5 June was going to operate on a reserved basis, so there was an opportunity to send information about sustainable picnics to residents when emailing confirmation.

Ed Wilson inquired about the Hello Lamppost scheme and what was being done with user comments and interactions. Ed Wilson also stated that the resident discount parking scheme was being reintroduced in April, but very few businesses were promoting the scheme. Ed Wilson also asked about publicity regarding the parking discount scheme to raise awareness to residents.

The Chairman thanked Ed Wilson for his comments and asked Julia White to discuss this with Steph James, Service Lead for Economic Growth, and the communications department with a view to raise awareness. Jeffrey Pick added that he had been communicating the message to residents.

ACTION – Julia White to contact Steph James regarding the publicity of the resident discount parking scheme.

Councillor Davey asked about provisions for advertising aimed towards people who do not use social media. The Chairman replied by saying that libraries would contain the information needed for residents and that library staff would be happy to assist.