COMMUNITY, business and council chiefs believe the steps taken in recent years to regenerate Altrincham are paying dividends.

Trafford Council, Altrincham Forward and the new Business Improvement District (BID) bosses say they will continue to work together to continually develop the town to make it a more attractive place to live, visit, shop, enjoy and invest in, when the new BID comes into force in April.

Over the past five years, Altrincham Forward, which is a public and private partnership, has sought to drive forward the transformation of the town as part of its vision for Altrincham to be a bustling, modern market town.

Since then Altrincham Forward has supported key regeneration multi-million pound projects that have brought significant investment.

These include the new £19m Transport Interchange (c£19m), the long-awaited £17m Altrincham Hospital, public realm improvement works, at a cost so far of £2m with more to follow; and the £1m Altrincham Market scheme.

It has also delivered a package of business support including the Town Centre Loan Scheme which has helped 14 new businesses to open, and carried out a range events and marketing and communications activity to promote the town.

Last November, businesses in the town centre voted to establish a new Business Improvement District (BID), which gave Altrincham Forward the opportunity to carry out a comprehensive review of its role and how it would work in the future.

As a result, Altrincham Forward will focus on wider policy and strategy issues, and measures to increase economic and housing growth, to complement the role of the new Business Improvement District (BID). It will also play a significant role in advising and supporting the BID Company, the work of the council and other key stakeholders.

Councillor Sean Anstee, chairman of Altrincham Forward and leader of Trafford Council, said: “I am delighted with the progress that has been made by Altrincham Forward over the past five years and would like to give reassurance that Trafford Council remains focused on the future growth of Altrincham and will continue to support Altrincham Forward, and the BID Company.”