MELKSHAM Town Council must play a central role in plans to consult residents, businesses and community groups for their views on town centre investment, a former mayor says.

Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan is seeking the views of Melksham residents, businesses and community groups as she leads on submitting a bid to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund for Melksham town centre.

She is launching a series of consultation events to give the residents and businesses of Melksham the opportunity to have their say on the future of the town.

Cllr Jon Hubbard, a former mayor of Melksham and a member of Melksham Town Council’s new ruling group, Together for Melksham, welcomed the consultation but said he hoped the town council would be invited to play a central role in the bid.

“The town council has already started working hard on looking at how our town centre can be improved.

"The Priority for People project is looking at the use of the town centre and already includes plans for public consultations.

“Much work has already been undertaken and this could provide a great ‘jump start’ to Michelle’s ambitions to gain this funding support for Melksham.

“Hopefully Michelle will work closely with the town council to ensure that we gain the best possible result.

"We all want to see new investment in our town and this is a great opportunity for the Town Council and MP to work hand in hand to deliver for our community.”

The Government’s Levelling Up Fund is designed to improve local infrastructure, develop town centres and help local businesses.

Miss Donelan's bid will focus on strengthening the local economy and building civic identity, two of the key points she has continually raised with the Treasury and with the Chancellor.

She has used her role as Melksham’s MP to recognise successful local businesses through her business awards schemes and has recently been working to secure the future of Melksham House.

As a local MP, she’s able to bring together local councils, government departments and businesses to deliver for the town, through making an application for funding under the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

Miss Donelan said: “I meet so many people who tell me that Melksham is a great place to live, but it needs a town centre that’s fit for today and for the coming years.

“We all know there are too many empty buildings and where the run-down areas are but we also have lots of successful long-established family businesses and fantastic community groups. I want to give them the support they need to succeed.

“This Conservative Government is prioritising town centres and there are several pots of money available from the Treasury to support growth and regeneration.

"I will be working with and on behalf of the Melksham community to deliver on our local ambitions.”

To have your say, go to the form: https://forms.gle/mjThj331qF5QcTvr7