News

When we published our February Newsletter we thought winter was coming to a close – we were wrong about that. We thought that approval of the planning application to redevelop the market was imminent – we got that wrong as well.

This time last year we reported a catastrophic spate of local shop closures, almost all national chains. Mercifully this has not – so far – been repeated over this winter, but we do not discount the possibility of more bad news to come.

Our AGM in June doubled the best turnout of previous years, with our room at the Wesley Hall squeezing in over 70 people.

We do have our ups and downs around the town and recent events are no exception.

Over the winter the weather has been mercifully mild up to the past couple of weeks.

A lot has happened over the summer and we have much to report. There is one piece of very good news, but this is overshadowed by the bad news on other fronts, especially the impact of parking charges.

Our AGM is on 14 June. This year we are starting at 7.15pm with an informal gathering where you can discuss local issues with members of the committee.

As the December snow and ice sapped our spirits, even more depressing news began to filter through about planned changes to council services and charges.

Matters have largely gone rather well for us over the summer: lots of interest and new members from our stalls at the events in Ravenscroft Park and the Environment Centre, the newly opened College looking rather splendid, the arrival of a Farmers Market, good progress with the work on our Town Centre Strategy, and the possibility of a diminished threat from a new supermarket in New Barnet.