STOWMARKET’S town centre now has a new man in charge - and he’s hoping to make a real difference to retailers and residents over the coming months.

Through joint funding from the town’s council and Mid Suffolk District Council, more than �150,000 has been committed over the next three years to create a town centre partnership, including the post of a town centre manager.

The man filling the role is Mark Strachan, who brings with him more than 20 years of people and project management experience and is excited about the challenge ahead.

He said: “These are exciting times for Stowmarket with so many improvements going on - such as The Mix, the new bridge, the John Peel Centre, and the Ipswich Street redevelopment amongst others. These will all be a huge boost to the town centre and it’s so exciting to be a part of that.”

The appointment is seen as a positive move for retailers in the town with one of Mr Strachan’s primary objectives being to attract more people into the town centre.

“I will be getting out and meeting the retailers in the town over the coming weeks as well as developing a town centre strategy,” he said. “I want to unite the businesses in the town centre to form a single voice through a town centre partnership. If we all work together we can jointly achieve success.”

Although the position will initially be hosted by the town council, the plan is for the role to become independent and be hosted by the town centre partnership once it is up and running.

County and town councillor Anne Whybrow said: “These continue to be exciting times for Stowmarket. Much work is being done to improve the economy within our town and Mark, along with the partner organisations he will be working with, will be increasing the profile of the Stowmarket and encouraging local pride in the town.”

Mr Strachan can be contacted at Stowmarket Town Council on 01449 612060 and via email at marks@stowmarket.org.