Stratford MP impressed by Strategic Partnership Group's plans to improve Stratford after meeting
Stratford-upon-Avon’s MP has praised the collaborative way a town group made up of several key organisations is working to improve Stratford for the future.
Nadhim Zahawi MP recently met with several members of the Stratford Strategic Partnership Group to hear about how it has brought local authorities and other key stakeholders together to discuss and influence major projects in the town.
Mr Zahawi heard about bringing plans forward to help revitalise the town centre, and how it is advising on plans to improve transport into the town.
He also heard how the Partnership worked together to help inform plans to improve Bridge Street and High Street and make it more appealing to pedestrians and cyclists and how it is working on a second bid for Levelling Up funding for the project.
Mr Zahawi said: “It was fantastic to meet with the Stratford Town Centre Strategic Partnership where we discussed our vision for the community. The group consists of stakeholders from a variety of local groups as well as the Town, District and County Councils and members come from a wide range of backgrounds.
“It is great to see the group's members coming together to secure and deliver improvements for our wonderful town.”
The SPG was formed in 2020 and is made up of various stakeholder organisations in the town, both in the public and private sectors – although Mr Zahawi does not sit on the group directly.
Geraldine Collinge, Director of Creative Placemaking and Public Programmes at the Royal Shakespeare Company, and chair of the SPG, said: “It was very useful to meet Nadhim Zahawi and discuss how we are working together to make more informed decisions about important town projects.
“He was very supportive of the group’s commitment to joined-up thinking in order to better inform major projects in Stratford – especially towards the plans to improve Bridge Street and High Street, which was fantastic to hear.
“Having our MP’s support means a lot to us as an organisation. Mr Zahawi is one of the few major stakeholders in Stratford who is not on the Partnership, so his praise of the work we are doing means a lot.
“We will continue to keep Mr Zahawi informed on the progress of our work, and look forward to meeting him further in the future.”