Spring is just around the corner and with spring there comes hope. The vaccination programme continues apace and with it comes the protection from the coronavirus.
I hope that with the longer days we can brighten up Newmarket. The Clocktower project will soon start, bringing attractive flowerbeds to the top of the High Street. The hanging baskets will be put in place in June and the members of our Public Realm working group are impatient to get started on other areas of the town centre: areas that need tidying and would benefit from the planting of flowers and shrubs.
We have decided to go ahead with the Soapbox Derby on the August Bank Holiday, which will be an exciting outdoors event for us all to look forward to.
And looking even further ahead we are investigating the various options for next December’s Christmas lights. We are hoping to improve on previous years, but we are dependent on the Love Newmarket BID (Business Improvement District) being successful in its election. Businesses in the town centre have the opportunity to vote this month for the continuation of Love Newmarket BID. I hope they are successful in the election. Currently the BID pays for a third of the Christmas lights. Without their contribution the display of lights will be sadly diminished.
Love Newmarket BID has worked closely with the Town Council to bring events, special days and the shop local campaigns. They are planning to improve the signage in the town with digital interactive town maps. I believe Love Newmarket BID is a real bonus to the town and the businesses within the town centre.
As I look out of my window, longing for the return of normality, I can see the bulbs bursting out in the bright sunshine. This is surely a sign of hope.
Michael Jefferys
Town Mayor