Kingsley councillor hopeful that vibrant business group could be exactly what the area needs to thrive

Councillor Farzana Aldridge, who represents the Liberal Democrats in the Kingsley and Semilong ward, has set up a meeting for Thursday evening (March 5) at Kingsley Working Men’s Club.

Attendees will discuss the potential establishment of a Kingsley Business Association, which is hoped to strengthen the existing offering and encourage new openings in the near future.

Cllr Aldridge says she is aware of the shared challenges of rising operating costs, attracting and retaining customers, and wants to ensure Kingsley is a thriving and attractive place to live, work, shop and invest.

This could provide a much-needed opportunity for businesses to work collaboratively, share good practice, promote the area, and develop a stronger collective voice when engaging with the local authority and other organisations.

The purpose of the meeting is to gauge interest and see if there is sufficient support to take this forward, and Cllr Aldridge spoke to the Chronicle & Echo ahead of the get-together which all local businesses have been invited to.

“I’ve got to know the residents, communities and businesses really well,” she said. “There are around 50 businesses and possibly some additional ones run by people working from home.

“It continued to come up in discussions about the need for the opportunity to collaborate and work together. This would create a stronger identity, a more investable neighbourhood, and increase footfall and community engagement.”

Cllr Aldridge hopes the upcoming meeting will lead to the formal establishment of a Kingsley Business Association, particularly as the area is frequently used as a route into the town centre.

She said: “We need to know what needs to be rectified for the area to be attractive and inviting, not only for the local community but those who come into the town centre.”

Cllr Aldridge is passionate about creating a “united voice” and believes a business association could be the “driving force” for Kingsley in being heard moving forward.

The aim is to create a vibrant business community, increase access to funding opportunities, develop ways for everyone to effectively communicate for the greater good of the area, and ensure a business association would be self-sustaining.

Cllr Aldridge said: “It’s not the role of a local councillor to manage this. It will be an organisation with its own structure, constitution and ways of working, and I’ll support its establishment.”

The overall hope is to create a “stronger local identity” and for people to be proud of Kingsley as an “attractive, vibrant and inviting neighbourhood”.