Action group sets sights on making Malton thrive (From Gazette & Herald)

Action group sets sights on making Malton thrive

11:06am Friday 13th July 2007

• Print
• Email
• Share

THE newly-formed THRIVE group, set up to spearhead initiatives to boost Malton and Norton's businesses, took its first steps this week to inject new life into the local economy.

The group, comprising residents, business leaders and councillors, attended the group's first meeting held at Goody's Academy in Commercial Street, Norton, when, said spokesman Stewart Frank, several ideas were put forward for exploration based on Malton's links with Charles Dickens.

The main project is to convert the ground floor of premises alongside Chancery Lane where Dickens set part of his story A Christmas Carol into a museum. The lane itself reopened this week after a £15,000 facelift to replace Tarmac with attractive paving stones more in-keeping with the hsitory of the site.

The ground floor room is reputed to have been the offices used as the setting of Scrooge and Marley's counting house in the classic tale. Dickens regularly stayed in Malton and had visited the Yorkersgate offices and seen the office which is now used as a storeroom, said Mr Frank.

THRIVE - the name has been chosen to give new impetus to the regeneration of the two towns with the strapline of "Driving forward change in Malton and Norton" - has already generated considerable interest, he added.

He said: "People are keen to see Malton capitalise on its close links with Dickens and A Christmas Carol - it is a natural vehicle on which to promote the town and attract new visitors.

"Chancery Lane and the old accounting office would be a major attraction if it was anywhere else."

A Dickens trail with the landmark blue plaques could be put up to focus on Dickens' links, which would in turn have a potential benefit to businesses on the route.

"There's no reason why Dickens shouldn't do for Malton what The Brontes did for Haworth," said Mr Frank.

The group is planning to set up specific focus groups to explore the potential of the riverside garden area and the opening of the Roman Castle Gardens.

Moves are also being made to establish links with The Dickens Fellowship and Dickens' groups in other parts of the world.

The group, which is being chaired by Carl Wain, an officer of York City Council who lives in Norton, is to meet on the second Monday of the month at 7.30pm at The Goodys Academy.

Meanwhile Malton councillor Howard Keal says one way to revitalise Malton's economy could be to pedestrianise some of the town centre streets.

He says the move would: l make the streets safer for shoppers and tourists l rid them of HGVs and traffic queues l improve the quality of life and the shopping experience l provide opportunities to create attractive open space and environmental facelifts l attract new shops and investment.

Coun Keal, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group at Ryedale House, told the Gazette & Herald that such a move could also lead to a "café culture" being created in Malton with continental-style tables, umbrellas and chairs in the open air, installing attractive street furniture and creating floral display areas.

"It may be an uphill struggle to convince some of the traders but I am sure it would be to the advantage.

"We only have to look at such cities as York, Lincoln and Beverley for proof of the benefit of creating pedestrian zones.

"The argument for pedestrianisation is gathering pace because of the improvement to the quality of life of shoppers and tourists which in turn improves business for shops, cafes and other traders," said Coun Keal.

There was he added "a massive conflict" currently between the heavy volume of traffic going through Malton and pedestrians.

"The town has the potential to attract more people both as tourists and shoppers - I am tired of people dismissing it. There is a wealth of history and facilities waiting to be discovered."

The closure of streets during the Malton Motor Show had in the past proved the benefit of traffic-free areas, he said.

"As a result people were able to appreciate and enjoy Malton's architecture and attractive buildings."

The town's leaders and decision-makers had to "grasp the opportunity" that the Malton Livestock Market site presented in terms of improving its economy and environment.

"The market has been an important of Malton's life for many years but we now have to recognise that there is a brilliant opportunity to improve the environment of the town centre to create something more attractive - we must not miss it."

If you would like to get in touch with the group, contact Carl Wain (chair), Thrive (driving forward change for Malton & Norton), 23 Commercial Street, Norton, Malton, YO17 9HX, or email: thrive@hotmail.co.uk

• Print
• Email
• Share