Town Centre Perception Survey 2024

We wanted to gain feedback from residents, workers, and visitors to Melton Mowbray Town Centre to understand their views on: 

• Cleanliness and green space satisfaction 

• Accessibility and signage 

• Street furniture and affordability 

• Community spirit and atmosphere 

• Overall strengths and areas for improvement in the town centre 

We used a mix of online and in-person engagement, including a new market stall approach, and received 271 responses (down from 367 in 2023). 

Alongside this we had additional supplementary questions which formed part of the engagement for the creation of a Town Centre Design Guide.

• Cleanliness & Green Spaces: Slight improvement in cleanliness ratings; visitors more satisfied than residents. Green space satisfaction rose significantly for both groups. A desire was shown for more visible partnership working with local volunteer groups that improve this aspect of the town. 

• Signage: Visitor satisfaction with signage decreased from 86% to 60%, yet more constructive feedback was offered in relation to accessibility.  

• Street Furniture: Resident satisfaction improved slightly; visitor feedback was limited but leaned positive. 

• Affordability: Mixed views—shopping and eating out seen as reasonably priced, but housing and parking raised concerns 

• Retail offer: Respondents expressed a desire for more variety in retail offerings, particularly in categories like fashion and home goods. Many mention the absence of independent shops such as butchers, greengrocers and speciality food shops, which would provide a more diverse shopping experience. 

• Community Spirit and Atmosphere: Described as friendly and safe, especially on market days. However, Sundays and evenings felt quiet or “dead,” with calls for more vibrancy and diverse offerings. 

• Overall Participation: Declined by 25%, with fewer visitors responding. Weather and survey fatigue may have contributed. 

• Town Centre Design Guide: A new Town Centre Design Guide was developed and is in the process of being adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document. 

• Cleanliness and Green Spaces: Community Coordinator has worked at raising the profile and appreciation of volunteer groups like Melton Wombles and Friends of Melton Country Park. Transparency and media releases highlighting work that has gone into highlighting efforts regarding removal of graffiti. 

• Street Furniture: Just under £45k has been invested into purchasing and implementing new street furniture for the town, following guidance from the new Town Centre Design Guide. 

• Retail offer: We have worked with local businesses to create an Inward Investment Strategy which was launched at UKREIF. This has been created to help bring businesses to the town. In addition to this the Stockyard Project is underway which will encourage more food and drink businesses to the town. 

• Investment in local businesses: Approximately £302k has been awarded to Town Centre businesses via grants and initiatives in the last two years because of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

• Resource for the Town Centre: through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund we have been able to employ a Town Centre Operative to increase the capacity of maintaining green areas within the Town Centre.  

• Cleaner, Greener Melton: Acknowledging our commitment to pride in place as part of our corporate strategy, we have appointed a temporary full-time officer to help support in creating a cleaner, greener Melton. This is a cross-directorate role which will support departments across the council in mapping key assets, creating maintenance schedules, supporting volunteer groups to encourage additional opportunities, and supporting management of our allotments.