Karen Whelan, Chief Executive

Surrey Heath Borough Council

TAKING CONTROL OF

OUR TOWN CENTRE

• Camberley in context

• The case for investment

• Delivering the future of Camberley -The regeneration journey

• Challenges we faced along the way

• Top tips from our journey

Agenda

• Camberley is in one of the most prosperous parts of the UK

• Small town in a small borough• Surrounded by a number of well-

established shopping districts• Mixed demographic profile supporting

young families through to an aging population

• Strong links to military• Good transport links• Compact, well planned layout• Council has committed to the

regeneration of Camberley since 2007

Camberley in context

• Investment climate for Local Authorities • Council’s key priority was to improve and

regenerate its major town• Duty publicly to look after 'Our Place'• Strong role in the local economy to drive growth• Local people want better facilities and want to

feel part of the community• Competing priorities of town centre partners

The case for investment

Since our acquisition of the town centre what are the benefits?• Speed of outcomes• Taking control – good and bad• Flexibility in stakeholder management• Quicker reaction to market changes• Enables innovation

Delivering the future of Camberley – The regeneration journey

The Challenges

• Keeping Members with you• Managing the capital investment• Managing national trends; the 'doom and

gloom' factor

Work closely with your partners and

BID (if you have one)

Manage market perception

Create a community, not a shopping centre

Understand your place first and create your

town as a valuable legacy

Work with the best

Our top tips

Our top tips

Get staff involved

Recognise mistakes will be made but the

project is stronger for it!

Finally… be bold, brave and strong in your resolve!

Get the community involved, including

the doubters Work with the best