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Busy six months for Llandrindod Wells Town Champion

Youth entrepreneurship activity, promotion of cycling heritage and a branding exercise are some of the highlights of a busy first six months for the Llandrindod Wells Town Champion.

Jude Boutle, appointed to the role as part of a pilot approach under the Powys Local Growth Zone initiative, has presented her six-month report to the Economy Minister Edwina Hart, outlining the activities of the Llandrindod Wells Business Group in developing the town’s economy.

Since her appointment Jude has worked with the business community to raise awareness of existing Welsh Government support services. During this time referrals to the Business Wales service have increased, youth entrepreneurship activity is taking place, the Wi-Fi project has moved on significantly and Superfast Broadband has been heavily promoted. She is now working with key local stakeholders to develop a feasibility study for the lake park and undertake a branding exercise for the town.

Jude has been particularly keen to involve young people in her work and is helping them set-up a Youth Market on September 26th. The market marks the end of ‘Support Your High Street Week’ to encourage residents to shop locally. The Llandrindod Wells Business Group, working with the Mid & North Powys Destination Network, have also been developing plans to improve the cycling provision in the area building on the town’s rich cycling heritage.

Jude said:

“The time has flown by. It's been great meeting such innovative and enthusiastic local businesses and business people who want to make a real success of both their business and their contribution to the success of the town.”

Justin Baird Murray, Chair of the Llandrindod Wells Business Group said

"The business group was always aware that it would take time for the economic benefit of having a town champion to take effect. We are now seeing those benefits and are confident that over the coming months, working with stakeholders in the town, we will see further progress in driving Llandrindod into a strong position as the business and tourism gateway to mid Wales."

The Minister said:

“I am pleased to see the progress Jude and the Business Group have made in the six month’s since her appointment as Llandrindod Wells Town Champion. The role is a crucial part of the Powys Local Growth Zone project to create economic growth and jobs in the area. I look forward to seeing the outcome of these activities and more progress over the next six months.”

Jude has worked in a range of positions in the affordable housing sector over the past 25 years, including management, development and community regeneration roles. Her Town Champion role is for an initial twelve months and she reports to and works with, the Business Group to drive forward priorities of the Economic Regeneration Action Plan for Llandrindod Wells.

The full report is published here.

RELATED LINKS

Llandrindod Wells Business Group and Action Plan

 

Channel website: http://gov.wales

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