A dedicated group of local residents, business owners, and community leaders is to help push forward plans to "ensure Warwick remains a thriving town for years to come."

The Warwick Town Centre Partnership has been set up to bring together key figures with valuable skill sets and experience to help drive the long-term vitality, viability, and prosperity of Warwick town centre and to deliver objectives set out in the Warwick Town Centre Vision.

Launched last year, the Vision was the result of a series of consultations by the Town Council with stakeholders including local businesses, residents and community groups, and set out an action plan for 2024-2030 to ensure Warwick remains a viable and sustainable town centre.

The Warwick Partnership Group will now help to deliver that Vision by pushing forward projects outlined as part of it, as well as fostering collaborative partnerships, attracting investment, and overseeing the implementation of strategic initiatives. All of this is part of its mission to "create a dynamic and resilient town centre that is a thriving hub for economic activity and community life."

The group, which is independent but will report to Warwick Town Council's Economic and Tourism Committee, is made up of people from different backgrounds chosen thanks to their valuable skill sets and insights into the town centre.

They include:

● Richard Nicholson, Foundation Principal at Warwick Schools Foundation, who is chairing the group

● Alex Harvey, the creative mind behind immersive technology company RiVR

● Liam Bartlett, Warwick Castle Manager

● Stacey Bains, Transforming Communities Together Development Officer at St Mary's Church

● Suzette Aagaard, Family and Community Engagement Minister at St Mary's Church

● James Mackay, Chair of The Warwick Society, representing residents

● Katie Bryan, Chair of Warwick Chamber of Trade, representing businesses

● Dawood Ibtehsam, founder of People Arches Ltd and members of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce

● A senior representative officer from Warwickshire County Council

● Joanne Randall, Strategic Economic Development Officer at Warwick District Council

Chair Richard Nicholson said: "I'm really proud to be chairing the new Warwick Town Centre Partnership at such an exciting time for the town. Warwick has so much potential, and this partnership gives us the momentum to deliver the Town Centre Vision in a meaningful way. I'm genuinely excited to work with partners to turn ideas into action and deliver projects that will make a visible difference for everyone who lives, works and spends time in our town centre."

Alex Harvey, who has a long track record of working to promote Warwick and bringing its history to life through immersive technology, added: "I'm excited to be involved in this new partnership for Warwick Town Centre. Having worked on creative and historical projects around Warwick for some time, I'm keen to help build momentum, turn ideas into action, and bring practical technological thinking into the mix as we move things forward."

As part of its work, the Warwick Partnership Group will help to deliver projects linked to the Town Centre Vision.

The Vision is based on four key themes that emerged through feedback and engagement workshops, which are: A Historic and Cultured Town; A Connected and Happy Town; A Communal and Youthful Town; A Vibrant and Safe Town.

Several projects have already been delivered as a result of the Vision, including:

● Our Warwick: A community initiative to re-tell Warwick's story through memories transformed into artwork and displayed in a large vacant unit in the town centre.

● Youth Flags: A project with school and youth groups to give young people the opportunity to design flags which were hung over Jury Street. The designs were based on the theme of peace and love and encouraged young people to participate in the town centre.

● Big Green Week: In 2025 Warwick celebrated The Great Big Green Week, designed to highlight sustainability worldwide, including the purchase of a recycling fish structure that toured the town.

● DISC: Working alongside the Community Safety Team at Warwick District Council, Warwick Town Council helped businesses in the town centre to sign up for DISC, a retail crime reporting tool to help keep businesses safe.

● Treasure Map Trails: The creation of a Treasure Map Trail for younger families to enjoy the town centre and learn about its history.

● Wednesday Market: A midweek medieval compact market was created at the Lord Leycester, responding to requests for a food and drink market in the town centre.

● Wayfinding: New and improved wayfinding signage has been installed around the town centre.

● Last year saw an increase in the number of events staged in the town, including a week of Halloween events and experiences, and several events to mark Small Business Saturday and really fly the flag for Warwick's independent business.

Kelly Scott, Town Centre Manager at Warwick Town Council, who drew up the Vision and has helped bring together the new Town Centre Partnership to help deliver it, said: "We're delighted to bring together such a passionate group of people with extensive experience and a strong understanding of Warwick, who will be instrumental in helping to drive forward the Vision and really create lasting benefits that will drive the prosperity of our wonderful town.

"Research has proven that collaboration is a key factor to driving successful town centres forward. Collaboration and community are two huge assets that we already have in Warwick, so this partnership will build on that legacy to ensure that the views of the community are at the heart of the projects we deliver as a place board, and collaboration ensures those projects are brought to life."

A full copy of the Warwick Town Vision can be downloaded here.