ALTON’S business development manager is to continue her programme of engagement with an invitation to the business community to attend the next in a series of regular forums.

To be held at Alton Assembly Rooms at 6.30pm on Thursday, October 5, the forum will focus on shop appearance and customer experience, and include an interactive session to discuss the ideas for Alton’s retail sector.

It has been a year since Julie McLatch took on the role of business development manager for Alton and, she says, “it has been a busy year for the team at Alton Town Hall”.

Furthermore, she is relishing the challenges to come.

“I lived in Alton for 20 years and arriving back as plans were being put in place for the 200th anniversary celebrations for Jane Austen was an opportunity to encourage more visitors into the town to learn of our rich heritage,” she said.

Julie’s role is jointly funded by Alton Town Council and East Hampshire District Council (EHDC), and a focus for this year has been promoting Alton as a visitor destination.

According to Julie, notable achievements have been:

n JA200 events including the ‘Sitting with Jane’ BookBench art trail across the north of the county which resulted in increased footfall through the town. More than 16,000 people downloaded the trail app to their phones and more than 1,200 paper maps were handed out in Alton alone;

n Increased liaison with journalists and television and radio crews resulting in greater coverage for the town;

n Improved signage at bus stops, and providing temporary car and coach parking for tourists linked with the JA200 programme;

n Information events about funding opportunities for local business, attended by more than 60 interested businesses;

n An apprenticeship event resulting in local students being employed in two local businesses, with other companies expressing an interest in the scheme;

n Working with the office of Damian Hinds MP regarding the New Directions fair which was hosted by Alton College and attended by more than 300 people; and

n Formation of a town team to help fulfil the economic objectives of the town’s neighbourhood plan.

Glynis Watts, the district council’s cabinet member and portfolio holder for tourism and economic development, said: “It has been a pleasure to welcome Julie to the team. Her focus on tourism for the year has benefitted Alton, and more people have been aware of the programme through the publicity and communications that EHDC commissioned and which Julie has been involved in.”

Plans for the next year include facilitating the improvement of the visual appearance of Alton High Street. Alton Town Council has already invested into this programme with increased summer planting and Christmas lighting, removal of street clutter, and an extensive street-cleaning initiative.

Alton mayor Dean Phillips said: “Julie’s contribution in this first year has been considerable and to increase awareness of the council’s projects she has added to the award-winning communications programme with additional social media channels, weekly programmes on Wey Valley Radio, and regular presentations to local interest groups.”

To continue this programme of engagement, the next Alton business forum will take place on October 5.

To attend, e-mail [email protected] or call Julie McLatch on 01420 83986.