Success of the Market Town Initiative
Neston was one of the 17 market towns in the Northwest to be included in the Countryside Agency/North West Regional Development Agency Market Town Initiative programme.
In Cheshire, there were3 such towns, Neston, Frodsham and Sandbach.
The three-year Neston Market Town Initiative Programme co- funded by Ellesmere Port & Neston Borough Council, the North West 
Development Agency & Cheshire County Council ended on the 31st March 2008
The overall purpose of the initiative was to maintain and enhance the economic viability of Neston whilst at the same time endeavouring to engender community development & involvement
To deliver the programme a local 'Partnership' was established, to which all residents of Neston over the age of 18 were eligible, and an Executive Board (made up of Partnership Members) was elected to administer the programme under the elected chairmanship of Paul Davies
Shop Front Improvement Programme
Under this programme eligible applicants have been able to apply for grant support to improve the front and visible side elevation of their building.
Grants of 50% of the cost of eligible and prior approved works- up to a maximum grant of £10,000 per property have been offered
The Conservation Officer for Ellesmere Port & Neston Borough Council prepared background information, policy statements, procedures 
and processes, which were widely circulated and given to shopkeepers when visited. Not least of which is the requirement and need to ensure such works (for which grants are given) sit alongside the style nature and character of Neston as an historic Market Town
Despite a seemingly slow start (whilst necessary preparatory work was carried out) some 34 applications were received in due time for which Board approval and offers of grant funding was given
During the process attempts were made, where possible, to ensure approaches to the town centre were improved. This has proved a notable success
From the Liverpool Road approach Carsons Print,- who received the very first payment of grant- has been successfully completed as has the Malt Shovel Public House on the same approach
Parkgate Road entrance to Neston has benefited from improvement to Redcliffe Dental Practice with works that enhance the appearance of the area
Significant amongst all of the works is the very considerable development and improvement to the Bridge Street entrance resulting from the works to Rightway Shop and the conversion of derelict and unsightly buildings to office and retail use
This together with improvements to the 8 properties opposite will transform this area to a forward looking business and retail quarter that will also ensure a restored and reinvigorated image
Leading to Parkgate, Hardings Motors have replaced the entire front of the showroom thus again ensuring the many visitors to Parkgate see buildings in good order. This important visitor/tourism area of Parkgate has also benefited with improvements to the famous Nicholls Ice Cream Shop
Willaston has seen improvements to Blain Bolland's building, which in addition also brought vacant premises back into use
In the centre of Neston much work has been generated around the Cross in the knowledge that this area of town again sees many visitors particularly around the Cross itself and Neston's famous Church
Works to premises including Help The Aged, The Brown Horse, Allisters Opticians, Galen Pharmacy, Neston Pet Shop, and Gittin's Carpet Shop, will all assist in the process of physical improvements, which it is anticipated will assist the whole town
It is important to emphasise that some £240,000 of public funding in the form of grants from MTI have been introduced which when set against associated private funds of around £240,000 mean a total amount of around £485,000 has been invested in the fabric and future of Neston retail sector
Other support to Traders with Shop Front Programme
To compliment the physical improvements to shops the programme also funded and supported a series of workshops designed to assist traders increase turnover profits and trading skills
The four workshops held at Burton Manor over a 10 day period in March and supported by the Chamber of Trade: Successful Marketing on a Shoe String: How to Make your Customers Keep Coming Back: How to Market your Business on a Shoe String and How to give your Shop Eye-appeal, created an opportunity for shopkeepers to hone their skills on the various aspects of improving trade and business.
Shopkeepers that attended indicated they had found the events helpful and several recognised the importance of pursuing the possibility of all town traders acting as a cohesive unit
Co-ordinated Curriculum (Lifelong Learning)
The Neston Lifelong Learning Integrated Curriculum Project was developed in response to the 'Health Check' supported by the Neston Market Town Initiative and is considered to have been most successful.
Its aim has been to improve access to Lifelong Learning for Neston residents, with a focus on improving employment opportunities for adults not currently employed, or those who are employed but who need to improve theirs skills/qualifications
A wide range of courses, training sessions and information events have been developed and delivered. Strong and meaningful links have also been established with a variety of local groups and organisations.
Courses have been well publicised and delivered in Neston and this is now reflected in improved levels of enrolments
One of the successes and a prime example of the merits of effective partnership working has been the Neston Return to Work programme:
This course was developed to improve the skills/qualifications of local people wishing to gain employment and to assist learners gain up to date and recognised qualifications thus ensuring a greater range of employment opportunities
Return to Work learners enrolled on several courses and were offered the opportunity to:
'Brush up' English Maths and IT and work toward a qualification.
Pre -employment skills
Job application skills,
CV writing, interview and presentation skills,
Personal Development
Communication Time Management and Confidence building
Career Guidance
Drop in events and Ready to Work Conferences also supported this programme and Four Volunteer Mentors recruited to assist return to work learners
Business Workshops were also offered providing business start up advice and business support, covering such topics as the basics of being self employed, developing business ideas, identifying sources of other support. Further events were held in Neston to encourage participants to identify training needs
Bridging The Gap - Women & Business provided advice and guidance to ladies wishing to set up their own business Further Course are planned for April onwards (beyond the end of the MTI programme)
Courses have also been delivered including Skills for Life, First Aid, Help to those over 45 plan their working future, a paediatric course at Neston's Children centre, An Art taster class, a programme of IT.
Additionally a brochure/leaflet appreciated by many local people entitled 'Turn Over a new Leaf' was produced proving to be highly successful
The work of the Lifelong Learning Project has made extensive in roads in assisting Neston residents that will contribute significantly to the required overall programme objectives and in achieving outputs and outcomes
The Delegated Fund
The Delegated Fund provided grants to community organisations/small businesses and again has fulfilled its objectives and remit successfully assisting a considerable number of groups and organisations. A total of £11,000 was spent on the Delegated fund initiative.
Tourism/Visitor Improvements
Work under this heading has resulted in the provision of
Illustrated leaflets for Parkgate and Willaston
Directional sign posts to Neston along the Wirral Way
Signs erected on the A450
The establishment of a successful tri -weekly Farmers Market
Activities around Heritage Open Day
Town Map outside Neston Church
First Conclusions and Overview
It is the view of the Officers within the Market Town Initiative that the aims and objectives set out in the activities of the various elements referred to above, have achieved measurable successes that will be to the long term benefit of Neston and its residents, as highlighted by:
- A considerable number of local groups and organisations who have received grants to create activities ranging from Mums and Toddler Group to the Cyber Centre and Football training for local youths achieved via the Delegated Fund which is fully committed
- Employment support achieving 53 outputs against 30 expected within the scope of the Coordinated Curriculum. Very many additional benefits to residents in the short medium and long term have also been achieved under this heading
- A total of around £485,000 of public and private investment resulting from Shop Front Grants enabling considerable improvements to the appearance of the town centre, bringing derelict properties back into use and significantly demonstrating the confidence in Neston by owners, landlords, tenants, investors and the like
- The creation of a new build Resource Centre which will provide a purpose built facility to enable community activities to a have a new purpose and a new home
- Festival of Events in the form of Citizens Week bringing together community cohesion and offering a vast number of activities spread over several days illustrating effective community partnership working and involvement. An event that could run yearly or develop over the years
- The development of Neston's own Web Site created and run by volunteers providing information to promote and illustrate Neston as a thriving Historic Market Town and providing local information to assist residents. Again a project that could continue and grow over the years.