The best (and most obvious) way for any local Council or Authority to find put what their residents think of where they live is to ask them. And that is exactly what Marlborough’s Town Council did when they launched the recent ‘Town Centre Survey’.
Across September and October the survey was accessible for residents to answer a range of questions and submit their views. Nearly five hundred responded, out of a population of maybe 8-9,000 that represents a significant level of response, as generally for such surveys response is in the 1-2% region. In the case of this Marlborough survey it was around 5%. Residents wanted to become involved.
It wasn’t just hoping that people would write ‘nice things’ about the town. The aim was to get good solid information that could be used to justify and support funding applications as well as give a good steer towards the formulation of long term plans for the town.
When asked, those surveyed described Marlborough as ‘friendly, beautiful, historic and market’.
Regarding funding, £1m will be invested across Wiltshire each year between now and 2025 to support High Streets and Town Centres in the post-pandemic era, and the results of this survey will give Marlborough a strong base when applying for a slice of this investment.
Marlborough’s High Street is already attracting widespread interest and acclaim – see the recent ‘Observer’ article regarding the ‘Ten best Independent High Streets in the UK‘.
To see the Council’s take on the survey, click here to visit the Town Council website where it will be possible to see the full detailed results of the survey and to access background information regarding why it was put together in the first place and how those results will shape plans for the town in future.
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