Historically Billingshurst has not 'marketed' itself well and this project aims to improve footfall and to ensure those living in outlying communities are aware of the services available within Billingshurst, transport options, and the depth of retail offering

Research Aims &Recommendations impacting on the project:

• Increase the use of, and spend on, commercial services (including shops, retail services like hairdressers/travel agents and cafes/restaurants) in Billingshurst Village Centre by catchment residents and users of non commercial services in the town.
• Increase the number of recreational visitors who come to Billingshurst and the surrounding villages, and their spending on commercial services and also improve the use of Billingshurst Village centre services by 'passing trade'.
• Address the challenges that parking in Billingshurst presents, ideally so that visitors feel confident that they will find a convenient short stay parking place.
• Support local businesses to grow, source locally, and trade with each other.
• Encourage full use of recreational, social, cultural/entertainment, sport and learning opportunities available in Billingshurst and the surrounding villages.
• Improve the use of community transport across the area as a means of accessing local services.
• Ensure older people are aware of and have access to opportunities in their own, and neighbouring villages.
• Improve the sustainability of provision for young people, building on the good base which exists in Billingshurst and other village youth clubs; and sharing access to opportunities across the area.
• Build on the roles that the Weald School and Village Primary Schools play in providing a venue for services and activities to support the whole population.

Actions:

These actions are based on the recommendations points in Appendix 2 of the

'Sustainable Service Provision Report' as follows:

1 Physical improvements to Billingshurst centre.

1.1 Better signage throughout centre, eg indicating route to additional parking, promoting retail offer and other facilities.

1.2 Better signage to centre -'welcome' and information boards from bypass and entry routes, at key attractions (eg new sports centre, village hall, centre for children and families and swimming pool).

1.3 Street scene and planting - review options to differentiate and create more of an impact, perhaps linked to competitions like 'Britain in Bloom' or eco/water-saving planting.

2 Address the issue of parking.

2.1 Provide for free (enforced) short-stay parking close to shops to enable a turnover of vacant spaces.

2.2 Clear signposting to Jengers Mead from library car park.

2.3 Marketing campaign eg stressing fuel cost savings of shopping locally against minimal charges, Budgens delivery service, and ' carry to car' services from retailers.

2.4 Short-term - encourage other retailers to replicate Jim Hill Sports 20p back offer.

3 Visitor Package.

3.1 Investigate opportunities to define/develop a local visitor offer which promotes links and visits to local historic sites, countryside, walking and cycling, hospitality and village centre retail.

3.2 Take account of, and link in with, other promotional initiatives in the area.

3.3 Promote development of new walking and cycle routes (perhaps linked to local cycle hire and public transport.

4 Local food and produce.

4.1 Investigate options to promote the area s local food produce, involving Billingshurst and other village shops, farm shops and producers and crafts people.

4.2 Take account of and link in with, other such promotional initiatives in the area.

5 Billihub

5.1 Investigate scope to define and develop a hub for local service information and residents advice which would meet a number of the needs which might attract funding from LEADER and RASP programmes. This might include and or enhance and expand the new  Billingshurst Children s and Family Centre .

5.2 Incorporate elements of tourist/visitor information.

Those organisations addressing the above action points:

Chamber of Commerce

Business Link

Town Centres Manager

Billingshurst Community Partnership

Parish Council

West Sussex County Council

Billingshurst Children & Family Centre

Estimated Cost of Project:

£77,000 (Excludes any costs associated with the Billingshurst Children' s and Family Centre.)