The sunny spring weather has brought a spring into the steps of the people of Newmarket. I walked around the town centre on Monday 12th April, the morning that the shops opened, and enjoyed the busyness that was apparent: queues for the barbers; shops almost bustling; and tea, coffee and cakes at the pavement tables. It was wonderful to see Newmarket come back to life after being dormant for so long. Let us all hope that this is just the start, and we will all be able to enjoy a normal summer.
It is important that we make Newmarket High Street look smart and tidy for both visitors and residents alike. We should be able to feel a pride in our town centre, but unfortunately it is looking sadly neglected at the moment. Newmarket Town Council will prioritise our town centre and we will invest our limited resources in brightening the town with planting of flowers and shrubs. However we will have to work with both West Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council to improve the state of the infrastructure. Now is the time for all the councils to work together to make our High Street a special place to be.
Newmarket Town Council has made a start. The top of the High Street around the clock tower has been refurbished and already this area is looking so much better.
And the cricket season has started with Newmarket Cricket Club playing on the Severals after an absence of four years. I officiated at the coin toss for the first match and was delighted to see the players in their whites prepare to start their first match. The flags were flying and there was a buzz of excitement. Summer has finally returned.
Michael Jefferys
Town Mayor