In this section of our website you will find the latest developments that concern the town centre, it's shopping, it's facilities, it's events and environment.

Taunton Brings back the Treasure

Taunton won two GOLD awards and the TESCO cup in the large town/ small city category at the Regional Britain in Bloom Awards at Torquay last Thursday. In addition three areas of the town were singled out for special Neighbourhood awards – Taunton Station, Victoria Park and Kingston Road Allotments where the judges were impressed by the levels of community co-operation.

The GOLD award was hard won, as the categories changed this year and Taunton was in the same group as Bath, winners of their group for many years and previous National champions.

The competition is no longer just about floral displays, but the judges also want to see that the community is involved, that green issues are at the heart of the campaign and that businesses are playing their part in helping to ensure that our towns are looking at their best.

McDonalds Drive Thru at Hankridge has been proactively involved in this year’s campaign. They have looked after the wildlife site near their site as well as carrying out extensive litter picking in and around their restaurant. Trull and St Georges schools have been promoting the green message to their pupils and have entered the schools’ competitions. In addition new hanging baskets with water reservoirs have been installed this year to decrease watering and diesel

‘Our army of Taunton in Bloom volunteers and Shaun Cregan our Co-ordinator have worked so hard on the Committee to ensure that the town looks at its best, not just at judging time, but throughout the year, they heartily deserve this prize’ said Lucy Ball Chairman of Taunton in Bloom.

Contact Lucy Ball Chairman TiB 01823 354299
 

Taunton is a safe place to do business and to shop. That is the official verdict of Action Against Business Crime when it awarded the town The Safer Business Award.

Last week the town centre security organisation, TRAC (Taunton Retailers Against Crime) was assessed by AABC so see how effective it is in combating and reducing  business crime in Taunton. Crimes include shoplifting, fraud, antisocial behaviour, and mutual business support.  

“The Safer Business Award is backed by the Home Office.  It is very stringent and has taken many months for Taunton to achieve.  TRAC has an excellent record for reducing crime in Taunton and is greatly appreciated and respected by the Police as a key component in the reduction and prevention of crime in Taunton. We are very proud to have been part of the team that achieved this accolade and endorsement for the town and we congratulate Jason King the Co-ordinator and his committee on this award” said Inspector Mike Ashwin. 

Town Centre manager Lucy Ball said “TRAC has been is existence for over 10 years, it is a highly effective partnership between the town’s retailers, the Police, Taunton Deane Borough Council and the Town Centre Partnership. Through its effective radio systems linked to CCTV and the Police levels of crime have been reduced considerably, and criminals know that if they to come to Taunton there is a high risk that they will be arrested. Gaining this certificate for the town is a great endorsement for what TRAC has achieved, we need to expand and develop the scheme from here to ensure that the whole town benefits from this scheme and Taunton remains a safe and attractive town to live work and do business.”   

The assessor, Richard Barron, commented  ‘TRAC is a well structured and disciplined partnership with extremely good relationships with all key stake holders, particularly the Police and Local Authority. TRAC will undoubtedly go from strength to strength and take a pivotal role in crime reduction in  the County’   

There will be a presentation event later in the year to celebrate this achievement     

ENDS

Contact Lucy Ball  01823 354299

Jason King 0781 2560907

Sgt Mike Griffith 01823 366000