Our new Elmbridge Vision for 2030 is a sustainable, thriving Elmbridge driven by the power of community.
Elmbridge is a great place to live and work – the green spaces and woodlands, the rail network, the national and international companies based here, the independent businesses helping our high streets and parades to thrive, and the people and the community all combine to make the borough a great place to live and invest in.
On 15 March, Elmbridge Cabinet approved the new Enterprise Elmbridge Strategy and Action Plan which sets out our ongoing support for the local independents, high streets and businesses. We all experienced how the pandemic accelerated change in the way we live and work, and we are determined to apply that learning and lead the way in how we shape Elmbridge’s future, considering the climate emergency and the changing nature of the local economy.
The new strategy and action plan will support our local businesses and high streets through this time of economic uncertainty, enable businesses to start and grow and work with our local communities to make sure their town or village is a place that residents are proud to call home.
This year, we will see the launch of new markets, the inaugural Walton-on-Thames film festival, annual Love Elmbridge awards and celebrations for the King’s Coronation, which will all add to the vibrancy of our high streets.
Whether it’s helping businesses to trade online, help for young people to get into training or employment, encouraging residents to shop locally or ensuring our town and villages are pedestrian and cycle friendly, our work on climate change must be central to all we do. Our new £100,000 business grant fund to help our high street independents and small and medium sized businesses reduce energy costs and carbon emissions is part of the wider vision for a sustainable, thriving borough.
We hope to generate more sustainable funding for our town and village centres with the launch of the new Cobham Business Improvement District (BID) in October that will invest over £750,000 in the village over the next five years and the opportunity to explore the possibility of a BID in Weybridge.
We will continue to work collaboratively with our businesses, networks and high streets to help deliver the Elmbridge Vision 2030 and ensure the borough remains a great place to live, work, invest and play.
Cllr Robin Stephens, Portfolio Holder for Enterprise and Local Economy
Elmbridge Borough Council