Local people are being given the opportunity to have their say on services available in the Tidworth Community Area by filling in a retail survey.

The survey, which has been commissioned by Tidworth Community Area Partnership, is being carried out to inform a Retail Development Strategy for the area and will help to understand how and when local facilities are used and to identify gaps in the market. 

Tidworth and District Chamber of Commerce, a member of the partnership, have engaged consultants from Bournemouth University to carry out the survey which is hoped will help improve the retail economy of the area so that it provides the services needed by local people and is able to prosper and grow over the next five to ten years.

The short survey is available on Kennet District Council’s website www.kennet.gov.uk. until 15th September 2006 when the consultation period ends.

David Wildman, Chairman of Tidworth and District Chamber of Commerce said;
“With the ever changing face of the retail sector in our community area, now is the right time to undertake a study from the shopper to the retailers to give us a vision and long term plan to work to. We need to create a retail environment where the local shopper wants to spend their money locally, not outside the area as at the moment. This strategy should achieve that. It is very important that as much feed back as possible is received so that an overall picture can be built up of the retail habits and aspirations so that a clear plan can be achieved”.

The Survey is funded by the South West Regional Development Agency, Wiltshire County Council and Tidworth Community Area Partnership (from its budget supplied by Kennet District Council).