Wychavon District Council has recently helped to set up the Evesham Place Board. The board is made up of local businesses, civic and community organisations, event organisers and political representatives. The Evesham place board supports various projects around the town that contribute towards the 20-year vision set out in the recently published town centre prospectus. The prospectus will help to secure future investment from both the private and public sector.
What have the place board been working on?
The Evesham place board had their first meeting in September 2022 and have been meeting bi-monthly since then. They have been making recommendations to Wychavon for projects to support with funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund part of the governments Levelling Up agenda. A list of projects are below which will be updated periodically.
We’ve launched a Business Front Improvement Grant where properties in High Street, Vine Street and Merstow Green can apply for between £500 and £10,000 to improve their business frontage.
We commissioned a mural for 41-43 High Street which has been vacant for some time. The mural tells various stories from Evesham’s history using humour and fantasy. Read a press article on the project.
We recommended funding to be allocated towards installing solar path lighting in Abbey Park, Evesham as part of the Enlighten Evesham creative lighting trail. This will make the park a more pleasant space to walk through in the evening and support active travel. Read a press article on the project.
We recently launched the Evesham Ambassador programme which will bring together all of the people working hard to improve the town to share good news, challenge negativity and discuss how we can work together to improve the town.
We distributed a ‘What’s On in Evesham and the Vale 2023’ flyer with over 50 local events to over 22,000 households in the WR11 postcode.
We recommended funding the Brass Bands in the Park programme, featuring 12 performances over the Summer 2023, it was the first time bands were back in the park since before the pandemic.
We commissioned 100 flags to be put up around the town for the Coronation of King Charles and then also 100 Baron’s flags ready for the Battle of Evesham.
We ran a social media campaign promoting the opportunity to come to Evesham to try Vale of Evesham Asparagus which had a reach 324,386 people across Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and Oxfordshire.
We’ve commissioned a contractor to refurbish all of the noticeboards around the town and bring them back into regular use.
We’ve recommended some funding is committed to match fund getting the churchyard gate pillar fixed at All Saints Churchyard.
We’ve supported Wychavon to commission an accessibility audit of the public realm in the town centre.
We recently launched the Evesham Ambassador programme which will bring together all of the people working hard to improve the town to share good news, challenge negativity and discuss how we can work together to improve the town.
We recommended a grant to Evesham Town Council to support an 18 month one day a week contract for a Communications Specialist to manage the Visit Evesham website and social media.
We sent out a survey to town centre businesses so we can better understand some of their challenges and aspirations and how these could align with the strategic objectives for the town set out in the prospectus.
We recommended a grant was given to Evesham Town Council to purchase additional Christmas lights for Market Square.
We backed a contribution being made towards commissioning a feasibility study for a battlefield centre on Green Hill.
We recommended a grant to pay for lighting for the Evesham Artisan Christmas Fayre in 2023.
What’s planned for the future?
We are looking at how we can support the development and promotion of active travel within the town.
We would like to develop a place brand for Evesham that all local businesses and organisations can use so when we are promoting ourselves to potential visitors, investors or anyone else we are giving a clear message of what Evesham offers.
Depending on the success of the business front improvement grant we may recommend further funding towards this.
We will be supporting the action plan coming out of the accessibility audits and are particularly interested in improving signage, interpretation and wayfaring around the town.
We are bringing together all of the people making things happen on or around the River Avon in Evesham so we can all work together to develop an action plan to make the most of the river setting.
Who’s on the Place Board?
.png&container=fileman-files "Tom Tarver portrait")
Place Board Chair
Tom Tarver – Director at Johnsons Property Consultants
Having grown up locally and built a business in the town over many years, I am firmly rooted in The Vale and keen to see Evesham reach its true potential. The recent Investment Prospectus’ shares an exciting vision for our town’s future, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to influence its continued success, as a member and Chair of the Evesham Place Board.
.jpg&container=fileman-files "Jack Hegarty portrait")
Jack Hegarty – Chair of Avon Navigation Trust
The Avon Navigation Trust is delighted to be represented on the Place Board to highlight and promote the opportunities presented by the River Avon. The riverfront and surrounding area are part of the town’s unique character.
Mick Hurst – Founder and Director of the Battle of Evesham suite of events
I have owned and managed an Evesham-based, award-winning, digital and design business for over 23 years. I will bring to the board these skills combined with in depth knowledge of the town’s history and heritage. This will bring more footfall into the town and over time develop a robust tourism economy. I’m also the Founder and Director of the Battle of Evesham suite of events, which continues to bring many thousands of visitors to the Evesham area.
Ashleigh Jayes – Manager of the Almonry Museum and Evesham Tourist Information Centre
Evesham is a wonderful place to live and work. We’re so lucky to have so much green space, a rich history and a passionate community. I see the place board as an integral part of our town’s future. By supporting local initiatives, working with business, organisations, local authorities and communities we can make Evesham an even better place to live, work and visit.
.jpg&container=fileman-files "Phil Maclean portrait")
Phil Maclean – Marketing Director at Eagle One Ltd encompassing The Valley, Evesham
After spending almost nine years in Evesham, I've developed an affection for both the town and its residents. I'm delighted that I have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution and am motivated to see the town grow. My background includes experience in destination marketing and tourism across a number of high footfall retail outlets.
Julian Meredith – Managing Director of Chase Commercial Ltd
Running a business situated in Evesham and as a local resident in Wychavon, I am keen to see Evesham town centre reach its full potential and take full advantage of its wonderful natural and historic assets.
Gill Pawson – Chair of Vale of Evesham Civic Society
The Vale of Evesham Civic Society was invited to send a representative to the place board; as Chair I am very pleased to be able to attend meetings and to contribute to the work of the board. VECS was invited as a stakeholder given its work over recent years to try to improve the town centre Conservation Area; this work fits well with the aims of the Evesham Town Centre Prospectus, which the board is charged with helping to deliver.
.jpg&container=fileman-files "Robin Walker portrait")
Robin Walker – Chair of Active Evesham
I was heavily involved in the development of the Evesham Town Plan, leading the Transport and Environment group. I was then co-opted onto the Wychavon Town Centres Advisory Panel, who commissioned the development of the Investment Prospectuses for Evesham, Pershore and Droitwich. By representing the 'Active Evesham' group on the Evesham Place Board, I will champion the strategic objective to get ‘Evesham recognised as a town that welcomes walkers and cyclists’. Providing an attractive and safe environment to enable active travel to become the first choice for everyday journeys in and around town.
Julie Tucker – Cllr Wychavon District and Evesham Town Council and Chair of the Evesham Town Plan Committee
I am an Evesham Town and District Councillor, Chair of Evesham Walkers are Welcome and Evesham Anti-litter Group. I have lived in Evesham all my life. I sit on the Evesham Place Board because I am Chair of Evesham Town Council's Town Plan Committee. I have been a member of that committee since 2017.
Robert Raphael – Cllr Wychavon District and Evesham Town Councils and Proprietor Hampton Ferry, Evesham.
Evesham is a great place to live, work and visit. We are so fortunate to have so much within our town and to have access to so much more in the near location. Evesham needs to be a vibrant, exciting and welcoming community for its residents and visitors alike. As a councillor, and resident of Evesham, I want Evesham to thrive and prosper. As a tourism-based business owner, I know how much we have to offer.
Katie Gilbert – Founder and Business Development Manager Evesham Noticeboard
For the last 30 years I have supported many business owners through my marketing and social media platforms to grow online and within the community. My mission through our popular Facebook groups, business networking events and Love Evesham Day is to have a positive impact online and in person for all members of the community. To showcase our town, businesses, and community as the heart of Worcestershire. Through “keep it local” and “Love Evesham” campaigns, The Vale Matters Podcasts and feel good e-newsletters we are showing how rich our town is in business and community spirit.
Charlotte Hampson - Director of Architects Dyer 
I am a local resident and owner of an architectural practice based in Evesham Town Centre. I have a keen interest in placemaking and can see the potential in Evesham Town Centre and the surrounding areas where we have so much to offer. My work has provided me with experience of regeneration and improving urban environments and I am hopeful that this can be used to enable Evesham to prosper and become an even better place to live and work.
Where can I find out more information?
Please see attached
document
Terms of Reference
(30 KB)
for the Evesham Place Board. You can find a meeting summary for each of our meetings here and we’ll update the website with new projects when they are completed.
Link to meeting summary doc for each of the meetings.
How do I get in touch with the Evesham Place Board?
In the first instance please contact Caroline Tredwell, Place Project Officer for Evesham This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 07929 779 808.
