Gravesend Town Centre Management

Gravesend's Town Centre Initiative has worked hard to maintain a town centre that is attractive, lively and prosperous, as a place where people want to be, a centre where we can shop, work live and play.

Gravesend was one of the first towns in Kent to establish a Town Centre Management scheme and one of the first to establish a true working partnership between the private and public sectors. Since its inception in 1991 the initiative has demonstrated that partnership and determination to get results are the key to a better town centre.

Today more than ever before, town centres need to be thought about and cared for if they are to thrive as the focus and heart of their communities. Gravesend, given its location close to two of the largest regional Shopping Centres in Europe, has faired at least as well as its competitors and better than many. This has been done by exploiting existing advantages and promoting initiatives.

The aim is to create an attractive, lively and prosperous town centre, as a place where people want to be, a centre where we can shop, work, live and play.

Gravesend Town Centre Strategy

The Strategy for the Town Centre shows a growing range of opportunities to improve on the town's shopping and facilities. This is because more and more interest is being focused on Gravesend from its central position in the Thames Gateway, its proximity to Ebbsfleet International Station and the benefits of fast access to and from London that High Speed 1 train services are bringing to the town.

That same strategy also says we should keep to and build on the five key components of success that the Initiative has worked to -

• Maintain as wide a range of shops and services as possible. 
• Seek to establish a niche which could include speciality outlets and shops. 
• Continue to offer quality with good value for money

2. A place to visit for a good day or evening out.

• Provide visitor attractions based on history, culture and above all the unique riverside setting. 
• Attract visitors through promotion and marketing through a wide area including Kent, London, the South-east and near continent.
  

3. A place for people to stay when visiting London, the South-east and Kent.

• Maximise the benefits of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and Ebbsfleet station.
• Take advantage of the proximity to London and other visitor attractions on the South-east. 
• Offer a cost advantage 
• Expand the role of the river in terms of leisure and tourism. 
• Build on our location in relation to the motorway network to provide easy access between London, the continent and ourselves.
  

4. A place where people do business and find employment

• Support the multiplicity of small and medium sized enterprises
• Offer opportunities to create new business
  

5. A place where people want to live.

• Offer new build opportunities in and around the town centre.
• Make the most of existing buildings through conversion by the use of initiative such as Living Over The Shop.
• Gravesend is seen in the Strategy as a series of 'Quarters' each with its own character and attraction. Future proposals are now being taken forward for two of these. Visit www.gravesham.gov.uk for further details.
  

Town Centre Management Activity

Towncentric is the base for the Town Centre Initiative with its Co-ordinator and also a place where the partners can meet, plan and learn. Workshops, planning groups and an open door invitation to look in all part of how the partnership works.

Town centre events are held each year to attract more visitors and shoppers plus change perceptions about the town. The 'Splash of Colour' sponsored flower scheme brings thousands of blooms on to the streets for the summer.

Strong links have been built with local schools and each year hundreds of young people give their ideas on the town.

Town Centre Times

The Newsletter of the Gravesend Town Centre Initiative for Town Centre Businesses. Keep up to date on all the news and information relating to your Town Centre.

As each Newsletter is produced we will also make it available on-line here, so you will always know the latest news and information effecting your business and Town Centre. As the list grows, you will also be able to view past issues to keep your collection up to date!

Recruitment Fair

Gravesham Borough Council and town centre businesses promote in September a two day 'Seasonal Recruitment Fair' in association with Jobcentreplus and local shopping stores.

In 2010 more than 700 people came through Towncentric's doors to seek job opportunities. As well as checking out vacancies for the festive period, they were able to meet advice agencies including Employ Kent Thameside and the Adult Education Centre to help build their job-seeking skills.

Further details can be obtained by calling Towncentric on 01474 33 76 00.