Business MK July 2022
Incorporating Business2Business
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In print and online, Business MK is published in Milton Keynes and North Bucks for the area’s business community www.businessmk.co.uk
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Play your part in MK’s bid to hit sustainability targets. P3
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Chancellor faces questions from city workers. P9
Rock ‘n’ roll: Niche vehicle maker David Brown Automotive has produced a special edition of only 60 of its Mini Remastered models to celebrate the 60th anniversary of iconic music brand Marshall Amplification, which has been manufacturing amplifiers in Bletchley since the late 1960s. Full story: Page 7.
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The values that bind business together. P14
Q& A
The latest news from Bedfordshire. P15-18
Best sellers and a home by the sea. Della Judd reveals all. P23
Town picked for Community Improvement District pilot
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olverton has been chosen to pilot a new initiative backing community businesses that trade for the benefit of local people. The town is one of five chosen to trial the Community Improvement Districts scheme in a bid to revive England’s high streets. New government figures show that visitor numbers to the nation’s high streets remain 14 per cent down on pre-pandemic levels. Community Improvement Districts already operate in Scotland and build on Business Improvement Districts, where businesses collaborate to effect change in an area in order to inspire regeneration and boost business. Community Improvement Districts aim to provide local people and community organisations, as well as businesses, a say over the strategic direction of local high streets in order to create sustainable town centres for the future.
Marie Osbourne, director and chief executive of the non-for-profit community benefit society Future Wolverton, said: “ After over 30 years of community campaigning, the redevelopment of Wolverton’s town centre finally begins this year. But physical regeneration is only the beginning - the real test will be the extent to which the community can capitalise upon the public sector investment and lead the development of a vibrant High Street. We very much hope that the strengthening of local partnerships through the
creation of a Community Improvement District will support this work.” Involving the community in shaping a town centre increases residents’ sense of ownership of and responsibility for their high street. The arrival of community organisations on the high street can deliver new activities, services and places for people to meet, all of which leads to a stronger local economy, says the organisation behind the CID scheme Power to Change. To page 4 >>
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