Businesses urged to support town re-generation project

East Lindsey District Council is working with various organisations - including the Town Council - to promote Horncastle via its ‘Vital and Viable’ project.

The project was launched last summer to boost the district’s market towns, even before the devastating impact of Covid had been felt.

A specific action plan was designed for Horncastle although the implementation of several ideas has been delayed by the pandemic.

One of the key elements of the project is the formation of a Trade Association.

However, leading figures involved in the Vital and Viable project say businesses have so far been reluctant to ‘sign up.’

The matter was raised at a town council meeting last week.

Coun Richard Barker asked what progress the project was making and if there were any action in place to benefit Horncastle.

He said setting up a trade association ‘seemed to be a problem’ and suggested that without support from the business community, the entire project was under threat.

Mayor Coun Fiona Martin - a keen supporter of the project - said: “I share your concerns. We have invited some of the leading lights from the businesses community to get involved but we all accept it is a difficult time for them at the moment.

“However, we can’t keep communicating with all the businesses on an individual basis.”

Coun Martin submitted a written report on the latest developments regarding the project.

She explained two ELDC officers - Lisa Collins and Sam Phillips - had attended a meeting of the Horncastle Together organisation.

Coun Martin said they had highlighted how important setting up a trade association was.

The officers also stressed it was vital the association was led by traders - and not by ELDC.

Coun Martin’s report also detailed some of the proposed ideas to boost the town.

Apart from helping businesses, the project will feature alongside ongoing efforts to attract more tourists.

Funding will be available next year to help both business and tourist related initiatives.

The report said ELDC was working with Visit England to develop local cycling and walking trails. Another option is a Horncastle heritage trail.

Coun Martin added: “Unless we keep talking and making progress we are in danger of losing some of these projects.”