1 September 2010

Redruth Town Development Manager First in Cornwall

Redruth's first Town Development Manager, Lee Dunkley, has just started work and this unique post, funded by the Town Council and Unlocking Cornish Potential, is believed to be the first in the County.

Lee's role is to help groups of residents, volunteers and traders to work together to achieve changes to improve the Town.  He will be moving forward the 'task and finish' groups which are now working on improving the look of two derelict sites in the centre of Redruth, and on helping to promote the town.

Lee is also spending some time getting to know local traders and he will become a familiar face about town over the next few weeks.  Lee comments, "I'm really looking forward to working with local people to bring improvements that they want to the Town.  Redruth has enormous potential; it's a proper working Cornish town with a lot of character.  Activities like the weekly market are important in helping to bring a bit more colour to Fore Street and to help get locals into the town centre.  One of the things I will be working on is finding more quality traders to make the market even more attractive to local shoppers."

The Mayor of Redruth, Councillor Ian Thomas, said, "All of those who share my passion and belief in Redruth agreed that it was critical that we recruited a Town Development Manager.  By working with the 'Unlocking Cornish Potential' project we have found an individual in Lee Dunkley who we believe is more than capable of achieving our objectives to start the revitalisation of the Town and the promotion of Redruth not just locally and nationally, but globally too.

"For some time now the Council has worked hard in partnership with CPR Regeneration, The Redruth Action Plan Project, other strategic partners and members of the community.  Even in a fairly short period of time I am starting to see a few 'green shoots' and an air of confidence in the Town.  We are all aware of the economic climate and understand that we may not see the benefits of regeneration for some time, maybe five or ten years down the line, but we are building positively step by step for a brighter future."

Councillor Barbara Ellenbroek, Redruth Action Plan Project (RAPP) Steering Group Member said, "We're absolutely delighted to have a Town Development Manager in Redruth.  It's really important for the community that the plans being put in place to help revitalise the town will continue, even once the initial funding from CPR Regeneration has finished.  It should give Redruth residents confidence that the Town Council is serious about tackling the issues that were identified through the consultations that took place as part of the RAPP earlier in the year."

Mel Martin, Project Manager at CPR Regeneration, the urban regeneration company for Camborne, Pool and Redruth, said, "It is great to see this appointment in Redruth.  Lee will be helping local people take forward some of the early improvements that the community has said it wants.  I'm sure that people in Redruth will get behind Lee and help him to achieve the best results for the Town."

Andy Peters, Business Development Manager for Unlocking Cornish Potential (UCP), added, "UCP is really pleased to be working with Redruth Town Council and graduate Lee Dunkley.  Lee's project is going to help spearhead a new role which will deliver a town improvement programme to boost Redruth's economic growth and regeneration.  I'm looking forward to seeing how this role progresses and the positive impact which it will have on the local area - it should be an exciting 12 months"