Welcome

Uttoxter Plus's main role was to provide funding and grants for local business and community projects. The funding for these grants came from the Government's Market Towns Initiative, which is designed to encourage and finance the regeneration of rural market towns. The initiative for our area was managed by our regional development agency, Advantage West Midlands.

• Click here to find out more about the Market Towns Initiative.

Click the links below for information about...

• The Area We Cover
• The Health Check survey report
• The Action Plan for the Area
• The Story So Far - significant milestones for Uttoxeter Plus

Uttoxeter Plus's remit includes the town, and the surrounding area in a 10km radius:

You can click on the map to download a larger version.

To decide on our priorities, we conducted consultations and surveys with local businesses and residents. The results of this process are documented in a "Healthcheck Report".

• click here to download a copy of this report

After analysing the information collected in the Healthcheck Report, we identified the area's regeneration priorities in an Action Plan. This Action Plan provides the criteria on which funding and grant applications will be considered.

• click here to download the Action Plan

We also have a graphic map of the town centre showing our development plans.

• click here to download the map (618Kb).

• May 2001 Announcement that Uttoxeter is to be included in a market towns regeneration programme.
• August 2001 first Uttoxeter Plus meeting supported by some 50 people.
• September - December 2001 consultation across the Uttoxeter Plus area for local people to identify key issues using the Market Town Healthcheck Worksheets.
• January 2002 a draft Action Plan is produced using the findings of the Healthcheck consultation.
• February 2002 The Uttoxeter Plus partnership meeting approves the Action Plan.Work starts on the Implementation Plan that states how Uttoxeter Plus will spend the Market Towns Funding.
• May 2002 first Project Manager recruited.
• June 2002 draft Implementation Plan submitted to Advantage West Midlands.
• July 2002 Implementation Plan approved subject to some minor amendments.
• September 2002 Formal funding agreement signed.Uttoxeter Plus has approval to spend the Market Towns funding allocation of £500,000.
• October 2002 Project Manager speech at Uttoxeter Plus Forum provokes considerable comment on the good and bad points of Uttoxeter.
• November 2002 resignation of first Project Manager, interim part time cover appointed.
• January 2003 first three projects approved, these are a Business Development Fund, development of a Town Centre Masterplan and survey of business premises in the area.
• March 2003 New Project Manager commences.
• April 2003 Year 2 delivery plan approved by Advantage West Midlands, the funding body.
• May 2003 Community Chest is approved offering small grants to local organisations for activities to improve the local area, encourage engagement in local activities or improve local facilities.
• May 2003 Uttoxeter Farmers Training Group is approved, supporting a co-operative project for local farmers to develop their IT skills and benchmark performance information.
• June 2003 First consultation on development of the Town centre Masterplan with a cross section of local people, local groups, Parish & Town Councils, market traders and landowners in the town.
• June 2003 First business assisted from the Business Development Fund, Craftwork Services Ltd supported in introducing a new manufacturing process.
• August 2003 Celebrating Uttoxeter 2004 approved supporting the Golden Jubilee of Uttoxeter Morris with a celebration of traditional dance in Uttoxeter & Abbots Bromley in July 2004.
• August 2003 Community Chest projects Bradley House Club, Mary Howitt Play Safe Park, Leigh Playing Fields Committee, Friends of St Marys and Newborough Parish Council approved.
• September 2003 Town Centre Masterplan presented to members of Uttoxeter Plus, East Staffordshire Borough Council Uttoxeter Town Council and Janet Dean M.P.Public display of findings opens with 500 leaflets distributed around the town centre, 70 copies of the Masterplan distributed, a static display at Uttoxeter Town Hall and presentations to local groups.
• October 2003 Research on local tourism finds mixed views on Uttoxeter and a need to improve information to visitors and the overall attractiveness of the town.
• October 2003 the Countryside Agency grant £5,000 to research the potential for a Voluntary & Community Information Point in Uttoxeter to support the work of local voluntary and community groups. 'We Research It, is commissioned to complete this research.
• October 2003 Community Chest projects Croxden Parish Council, Stramshall Aikikan, Draycott in the Clay Parish Council, Denstone Pre-School Playgroup, Uttoxeter Christmas Cracker, Denstone Bowls Club, Rocester Friendship Club, Uttoxeter University of the Third Age and Uttoxeter Heath Community Centre approved.
• November 2003 Results of Masterplan show high level of support for improvements in the Town.Masterplan recommendations approved and adopted by Uttoxeter Plus.An Implementation Group is proposed to co-ordinate delivery of the recommendations.This is to be led by East Staffordshire Borough Council, drawing on its resources to drive forward action.
• November 2003 successful networking evening for local businesses leads to proposal for a new networking club in town.
• November 2003 Training Uttoxeter project approved offering bespoke IT training to a small number of local businesses.
• November 2003 IT bus visits Uttoxeter offering a few minutes of IT support to local businesses.
• November 2003 negotiations start with Parish Councils in the Abbey Ward to support their joint development of a Parish Plan.Parish Councillors agree to investigate this prospect.
• November 2003 further grants awarded from the Business Development Fund to Top Hat Occasions and Better Tasting Snack Foods to support business expansion.
• November 2003 Community Chest project Domestic Violence Protection Committee approved.
• December 2003 Masterplan recommendations adopted by East Staffordshire Borough Council and Uttoxeter Town Council. East Staffordshire Borough Council gives a £1.5 million commitment to environmental improvements in Uttoxeter.
• December 2003 an external 'Gateway' review of Uttoxeter Plus progress concludes that the partnership is in good shape and gaining momentum with a good commitment to implementing the Masterplan recommendations.
• December 2003 review of progress and start of development for Year 3 Delivery Plan.
• January 2004 Feasibility Study on Voluntary and Community Information Centre concludes that there is a need and demand for this provision in Uttoxeter.The search for funding partners commences.
• January 2004 Terms of Reference for the Town Centre Implementation Group formally agreed setting out its role and responsibilities and reporting requirements to the Uttoxeter Plus Board.
• February 2004 Community Chest projects Junior Archaeology Club, Rocester Skateboard Park and Uttoxeter Choral Society approved.
• March 2004 Uttoxeter hosts the first annual West Midlands Market Towns Regional Forum.
• March 2004 Peter Mitchell re-appointed as Chair of Uttoxeter Plus.
• March 2004 Project approved to develop Design Themes for key areas of Uttoxeter.This will develop recommendations made in the Town Centre Masterplan to specify materials for street surfacing, furniture, lighting, signage and information boards and the look and feel of key areas of the town.
• March 2004 project approved to develop a Shop Front Improvement Grant Scheme for the core shopping area of Uttoxeter.
• March 2004 development of an Integrated Transport Strategy for Uttoxeter commences with the support of the Countryside Agency and Staffordshire County Council.The project seeks to improve transport links across the Uttoxeter Plus area.
• March 2004 first meeting of the Chamber Network Club in Uttoxeter a new breakfast networking club for businesses in Uttoxeter.
• March 2004 Masterplan recommendations adopted by Staffordshire County Council with a £300,000 commitment to work in Uttoxeter.
• March 2004 Community Chest project Uttoxeter Market Charter approved.
• April 2004 Uttoxeter Plus Forum held at Uttoxeter Racecourse with over 120 people attending to give their views on proposals for the town centre, plans to improve transport and hear a progress report on Uttoxeter Plus activities so far.
• April 2004 Project approved to support development of a Synthetic Pitch in Uttoxeter.Uttoxeter Plus to fund floodlighting to enable community use of the pitch at evenings and weekends.
• April 2004 project approved to study the red meat supply chain, quality of produce and consumer demand.This will inform future activity on local branding, encouraging the purchase of local produce and co-operation in strengthening the supply chain for red meat products.
• April 2004 'Business Opportunities in Uttoxeter' highlights the support available from a range of sources for people wishing to start their own business or who have recently started up in business.
• April 2004 Year 3 Implementation Plan approved by Advantage West Midlands.
• May 2004 first training session for Uttoxeter Farmers Training Group.
• June 2004 East Staffordshire Borough Council lead on consultation for the installation of rising bollards in Uttoxeter High Street to enforce the current 'access only' traffic order.
• June 2004 Design Brief for land at Town Meadows Way and Brookside Business Park issued for comment.This includes plans for the new cinema and bowling alley with planning permission applied for shortly after.
• June 2004 Community Chest Projects Doveridge Village Hall and Kingstone Village Hall approved.
• June 2004 Abbots Bromley Community First Responder project approved.
• July 2004 Shop Front Improvement Scheme Launched offering grants to the owners of business premises in Uttoxeter Town Centre for work to improve the property frontages.
• July 2004 Celebrating Uttoxeter 2004 sees 200 Morris Men from across the country celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Uttoxeter Morris.Dances are staged across the Uttoxeter Plus area and in surrounding towns and villages.
• July 2004 Uttoxeter Town Centre Masterplan wins the open category of the West Midlands Regional Market Towns Awards.
• July 2004 Uttoxeter Integrated Transport Strategy reaches final draft stage.
• July 2004 8 new and young businesses benefit from a 4-day business planning course designed to support them in successfully becoming established.
• July 2004 Further awards made from the Business Development Fund to Capricorn Timber for business expansion and to Worm Technologies Ltd a new business start up.
• August 2004 Uttoxeter Integrated Transport Strategy is published gaining Uttoxeter national Bacon status for transport.
• September 2004 Community Chest Project Uttoxeter Rainbow Renewal is approved.
• September 2004 Home-Start Rural Outreach project is approved opening up a new support service for families in need with young children.
• September 2004 a £315,000 improvement project for Uttoxeter Railway Station is approved.
• October 2004 East Staffordshire Borough Council announce Taylor Woodrow as the preferred partner to develop Uttoxeter Cattle Market site in line with recommendations in the Uttoxeter Town Centre Masterplan.
• October 2004 First successful applicant to the Shop Front Scheme is Broadway Kitchens and Bedrooms a new business to the town.
• December 2004 The Shop Front Design Guide for Uttoxeter is adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance.
• December 2004 Community Chest projects for Croxden Parish Council, Uttoxeter Rural Parish Council, Uttoxeter Citizens Advice Bureau, Staffordshire Youth Service and Churnet Community Development Group are approved.
• December 2004 The Rotary Club are successful in securing funding to upgrade facilities at the Cellar Youth Club, Thomas Alleynes High School.
• January 2005 Greggs are the first completed scheme in the Shop Front Grant Scheme.
• March 2005 Improvement works to Uttoxeter Railway Station commence. The works will improve safety for users of the station and surrounding area.
• April 2005 ESBC Arts Team develop the UFXTRA project introducing local young people to street and break dance.
• April 2005 Business Link appoints an Account Manager to support the Business Development Fund operating in Uttoxeter and the surrounding area.
• June 2005 A Community Chest grant was awarded towards the cost of internal redecoration of Bramshall and Loxley Village Hall.
• June 2005 Uttoxeter Plus funding supported a successful junior football tournament in Rocester.
• June 2005 The Uttoxeter Festival was held showcasing local Morris Men, a youth break dance group, Celtic Rock, Jazz and Choral music. Children’s music and dance artistes also performed.
• June 2005 Marchington Amateur Dramatic Society has received funding towards the cost of new lighting and Marchington Singers a contribution towards the cost of an electric piano.
• June 2005 Homestart recruits its’ first volunteers in the Uttoxeter area.
• August 2005 Bradley House Bowls Club received funding to improve the bowling green.
• August 2005 Funds awarded to develop a play area in Denstone.
• September 2005 As part of the Community Chest funds were awarded to support a Movement to Music class for carers in the Uttoxeter area.
• September 2005 Homestart place volunteers with 3 local families.
• September 2005 The Business Training programme delivered by Thomas Alleynes High School has been completed and supported 5 local businesses and 17 members of staff received IT training.
• September 2005 Mayfield and Ellastone Community First Responder Group purchase a new vehicle.
• December 2005 The Business Development Fund, through Business Link has created 7 new jobs in the last 3 months.
• January 2006 Grant awarded to Sun Beams Pre School for the purchase of art and craft supplies and play equipment.
• January 2006 Synthetic pitch handed over to Thomas Alleynes School.
• February 2006 Uttoxeter’s Farmers Training Group awarded WM Regen Award.
• March 2006 All pictorial street name-plates now erected.
• March 2006 16 shop fronts have been with improved with grants awarded under the Uttoxeter Plus Shop Front Scheme.
• April 2006 External evaluation commissioned.
• April 2006 Celebration of Uttoxeter Plus activity event held in the Town Hall and the DVD showcase premiered.
• June 2006 Town Centre enhancement work commences.