A WORKING party is to be formed to look at the issues facing town centre businesses and shopkeepers in Wellington.

Members of Wellington Town Council agreed earlier this month that a group be created to investigate how to safeguard and boost the viability and success of the town centre in years to come.

The group will consist of town councillors and co-opted members of the public who have relevant expertise or experience which could assist the project.

Key issues will be to identify shops and other commercial premises which are currently vacant, problems faced by businesses already operating in Wellington and what facilities and amenities are open to the public.

The working group will aim to provide a draft report to the council in November and a full and final report to be approved the following month.

It is hoped that the result of the initiative will see practical solutions being suggested which could be implemented – as long as they are affordable and within the council’s powers.

A council report said: “We want to find out the issues facing Wellington town centre and which commercial properties are empty and who owns those buildings.

“We want to find out what are the strengths and weaknesses of Wellington as a proposition to new business.”

It is expected that the working group will look at how other areas have addressed issues with their town centres and what ideas have worked elsewhere and which have been unsuccessful.