FORUM AIMS

The Forum is a group of shops, professionals and service providers who have come together to promote trade in the town and outer parishes. We wish to have the widest possible business membership. By doing so and by co-operating with other Holbeach groups, we can present a united front when dealing with County and local government and other organisations in order to influence policy for the benefit our businesses and indeed for the whole area.

The population of Holbeach continues to grow and forms a good customer base for all our activities. We face competition from other small towns and of course from Wisbech, Spalding, Kings Lynn, Boston and Peterborough. We need to work hard to keep Holbeach customers in Holbeach. Some potential customers go elsewhere because they are used to doing so, have difficulty with transport and parking or just because they are unaware of the surprisingly large range of shops and services available here.

For these reasons we should look beyond our own individual businesses and try to promote the district in general. The town needs to be clean, tidy and pleasant, with no empty shops and good public amenities. Special events which bring people into town need supporting. Free car parking should be available. As individual businesses we must aspire to providing the highest level of service we can. Only by working together can we hope to improve the overall shopping experience for our customers and encourage people to think of local businesses first when seeking shops, professional help, quality craftsmen and trades people.

Join us. The more members we have the stronger we are. Our fees are nominal and there is no need to attend every meeting, though we will be pleased to see you whenever you are able to come. Fresh ideas and new slants on improving our town will also come from a larger membership. Should you be able to do more, we are always looking for extra help with something and various other groups, which help to enhance the town, frequently ask if we can supply some form of assistance. Sometimes time is more valuable than money.

See contacts page for details of how to get in touch.

• Parking and traffic flow in town centre.
• Illegal parking causing obstructions.
• Return to free parking and extended opening hours in Boston Road car park.
• Changes to traffic lights at Market Hill.
• New roundabout at Peppermint Junction.
• Pavement cleaning.
• Seasonal markets and special events in Holbeach, including Christmas fair and party in the park. Need for at least two further events
• Specialist speakers for Forum meetings, every other meeting ?
• Woolworth's site.
• Walkway from Tesco to high Street.
• Increasing diversity in High Street, encouraging new and different traders.
• Co-operation with Civic Society and other organisations.
• Possible use of Utility Warehouse
• Fighting Funds.

Matters resolved or now being dealt with by other organisations.

• Grant aid for shop front refurbishment.
• Parish Plan.
• Paper business directory.
• Free 2 hour parking in Boston Road.
• Website launched with free advertising space for members.