LEDBURY has entered the race to secure a share of a £1 million initiative to revive England’s high streets.

The bid to be chosen in the Government’s scheme proposed by retail expert Mary Portas will be co-ordinated by the newly formed Town Planning Group.

Ledbury hopes to become one of 12 pilot towns to receive up to £100,000 and advice from the Queen of Shops television presenter.

Ideas about how to strengthen, energise and improve are being sought, with one of the crucial elements being the creation of a town team of key players such as the council, landlords, shopkeepers and the town’s MP Bill Wiggin.

Liz Harvey, the group’s chairman, said: “The goal is to develop a vision of what a market town for the 21st century looks like – resilience, relevance and renewal.

“To do that we nee ideas and creativity from the community.

Traders and shoppers, visitors and local residents, landlords and business people, local councils and interest groups all need to be involved.”

Steps are also being taken to create a town plan because the existing one, finalised in 2007, is considered out of date and the new document will focus more on neighbourhood and wider planning issues.

A steering group, comprising volunteers who live in Ledbury, will plan, design and carry out consultation with residents, local groups, associations and societies and official institutions to find out what people like about the town, what they want to see improved, and how the town should develop in the coming years.

Mrs Harvey said the new plan could influence planning and development decisions, represent the needs of the community and potentially be in place until 2020.

“The town plan is really a community-owned document that is as useful as the community makes it. We aim to get as wide a cross-section as we can. It would be great if some teenagers, young singles and people with young families could be involved from the outset.”

The next steering group meeting is on Tuesday, March 27, at 7pm in the Burgage Hall.

Anyone wishing to get involved in the group can e-mail a.warmington@btinternet.com or through the town council offices, on 01531 632306.

Ideas for the Mary Portas scheme can be sent to eharvey @ledburytowncouncil.gov.uk and should be in soon as the deadline for applications is March 31.