Wokingham Borough residents have the opportunity to help shape a strategy that supports the area’s economic growth

Wokingham Borough Council is updating its Economic Development Strategy that sets out how it will keep improving the borough’s economic prosperity through to 2030.

The draft updated strategy is developed based on a thorough analysis of local economic performance data and insights from the council’s engagement with local business community and other stakeholders to understand business needs, economic issues and growth opportunities. 

Residents are encouraged to read the full draft strategy on the council’s Engage Wokingham website, and give their comments by Tuesday 8 October. 

Setting directions for future growth

Cllr Mark Ashwell, executive member for economic development, sport, leisure and the arts, said: “We’d like to thank our local businesses for sharing their views, which has been instrumental in shaping this round of consultation with residents.

“Our strategic location in the heart of Berkshire, together with excellent transport links to London and the wider South East, positions us well to attract inward investment. The recent completion of Shinfield Studio further fuels the growth of creative industry in the area. To elevate our economy to the next level, we must refresh our strategy and set clear directions for future growth.

“Residents will benefit from new employment, upskilling and training opportunities created from sustainable growth in our economy. It’s also vitally important that economic development is key to a quality, stable and healthy life for everyone.”

Four key economic pillars

The draft Economic Development Strategy outlines four key pillars supporting the borough’s economy – including economic and business landscape; people, work, skills and well-being; place, infrastructure and connectivity; and small towns and districts, local centres and shopping parades. 

Priorities are proposed under each pillar to highlight how the council will achieve the overall vision for our economy. 

The final Economic Development Strategy will go before the council’s decision-making executive by the end of this year. Following this, a detailed action plan to achieve these priorities will be developed. 

Crumbs at the Oakwood Centre is now open!

After many years, Brown Bag decided to leave the Oakwood Centre. Having worked with them for so long, it was sad to see them go, however, we are delighted to welcome, in their place, local cafe specialists Crumbs. 

Grand opening

The cafe opened on Saturday 7 September, with a promotional half price hot drink offer, which kept the crowds coming in. 

Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Juliet Anderson, popped down to meet the new team and sample the delicious array of sumptuous cakes, freshly made-to-order food, ranges of hot and cold drinks, including cocktails and mocktails, as well as milkshakes and delectable items that cater for all food allergies.  

Opening times

Crumbs at the Oakwood Centre will be open daily:

Catering at the Oakwood Centre

As our new partner, Crumbs will continue to provide a bespoke and exclusive set of menus for Oakwood Centre clients and hirers, as well as providing catering for all events.

For more details, please contact [email protected].

Residents and businesses are encouraged to give their views on Twyford village centre, Wokingham and Woodley town centres

A new strategy is being drawn up by Wokingham Borough Council to support the town and village centres in Wokingham Borough, in the face of ongoing challenges from changing economic climate and shopping habits.

Your views matter

To help shape the new Town Centre Strategy, the council is seeking views on how Twyford village centre, Wokingham and Woodley town centres are being used, and how they perform as places to do business.  

The new strategy will understand the individual character and identity of each of these town and village centres, the challenges facing them as well as new opportunities ahead. It will also shed light on how UK’s changing economy and the way people shop is impacting the town centres in the borough.

Once complete and approved, an action plan will be developed to outline what the council will do to achieve the priorities and objectives set out in the strategy.

The strategy will also be reviewed and refreshed at least every five years to reflect the latest economic situations locally and nationally.

Complete the survey online

Two surveys, open until Friday 4 October for residents and business owners to complete, are available on the council’s Engage Wokingham website.

We have now published a report showing the responses to our WPLC Development survey.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond. 

We received a total of 1,339 responses, of which:

• 77.67% were from Woodley residents
• 66.32% were from people aged 30-59 years old
• 67 were from people identifying as having a disability
• 181 were from non-centre users.

You can view the full report HERE.

Please keep an eye on our website and social media for any further updates.